In a dramatic turn of events, a resident of Palm Harbor, Florida, has filed a lawsuit seeking damages exceeding $50,000 after suffering significant injuries from a fall on an uneven sidewalk. Douglas Moore initiated the legal action against the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Orient Expressions Co., claiming negligence in maintaining the sidewalk. The complaint was filed on February 14, 2025, in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida.
Douglas Moore's complaint outlines that on April 11, 2023, he tripped and fell while walking along a sidewalk at 32130 US Highway 19 N in Palm Harbor. According to Moore's attorney from Dismuke Law, both FDOT and Orient Expressions Co. were responsible for maintaining this section of the sidewalk. The lawsuit accuses both defendants of failing to uphold their duty to ensure pedestrian safety by allowing the sidewalk to remain in a hazardous condition. "The Defendants owed the Plaintiff...the duty to exercise reasonable care for [his] safety," states the complaint.
Moore alleges that both FDOT and Orient neglected their responsibilities by not adequately inspecting or repairing the sidewalk or warning pedestrians about its dangerous state. As a result of this alleged negligence, Moore claims he suffered bodily injury leading to pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, and other losses affecting his quality of life and financial stability. The lawsuit seeks compensation for these damages as well as costs and interest.
The plaintiff provided written notice of his claim on May 2, 2024, complying with Florida Statute 768.28 by informing relevant parties via certified mail before filing suit. This pre-suit notification included photographs evidencing the hazardous condition of the sidewalk where Moore fell.
Douglas Moore is represented by attorneys from Dismuke Law in Lakeland, Florida. His legal team includes C. Garrett Gaa and D.A. Rosado among others. The case is presided over by Judge Ken Burke under Case Number: 25-000704-CI.