A Florida resident has filed a lawsuit against a local municipality, alleging negligence after suffering injuries from a sidewalk accident. On January 29, 2025, Dawn Ritchie submitted a complaint in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, accusing the City of Boynton Beach of failing to maintain safe conditions on their property.
The incident at the heart of this case occurred on September 30, 2023. Dawn Ritchie was mowing her lawn at her residence on Loquat Tree Drive in Lantana when she stepped backward onto a sidewalk and her foot became trapped in a sinkhole. This unexpected hazard caused her to fall heavily onto her right side, resulting in significant injuries to her wrist and spine. The sidewalk where the accident took place is owned and maintained by the City of Boynton Beach.
Ritchie's legal action claims that the city was aware or should have been aware of the dangerous condition posed by the sidewalk's disrepair. The complaint outlines that Boynton Beach had both contractual and legal obligations under various safety codes to ensure that sidewalks are kept in safe conditions for public use. Despite these responsibilities, Ritchie alleges that the city failed to inspect or repair the hazardous area adequately.
The lawsuit asserts that this breach of duty directly led to Ritchie's injuries and subsequent suffering. She describes enduring pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses, and lost wages due to her incapacitation following the fall. As part of her legal remedy, Ritchie seeks compensatory damages exceeding $50,000 for medical costs incurred and anticipated future expenses related to her injuries. Additionally, she requests compensation for lost earnings capacity and other general damages deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing Dawn Ritchie are attorneys Chad N. Horowitz and Lynda S. Brennan from Horowitz Trial Attorneys based in Boynton Beach. The Case Number: 502025CA000831 XXXAMB Div: AN.