Arthur C. Merrill Jr., a resident of Palm Beach County, has filed a lawsuit against Mar-a-Lago Club, L.L.C., and its Executive Vice President, Bernd Lembcke, following an incident that left him with serious injuries. The complaint was filed on February 27, 2025, in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida. Merrill accuses the defendants of negligence after he was injured at the Mar-a-Lago Club due to a lack of wheelchair accessibility.
According to the complaint, on February 21, 2024, Arthur C. Merrill Jr. attended a lunch meeting at Mar-a-Lago Club as a business invitee. Upon arrival at the club located at 1100 S. Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach, FL 33480, Merrill encountered an absence of wheelchair-accessible ramps. This required valet attendants to physically lift him and his wheelchair to an elevated area for entry into the premises. After the meeting concluded, as they attempted to transport him back down using the same method, Merrill was dropped down multiple stairs by the attendants. The fall resulted in serious injuries for which he holds both Mar-a-Lago Club and Bernd Lembcke accountable.
Merrill's complaint details how Mar-a-Lago Club failed in its duty to maintain safe conditions for all patrons, especially those with mobility impairments like himself. He argues that the club should have been aware of and addressed the hazardous condition posed by their non-ADA-compliant entryway but failed to do so despite knowing it posed significant risks. "Defendant failed to provide a safe and accessible means for individuals with mobility impairments," reads part of Merrill's allegations against Mar-a-Lago Club.
The lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $15,000 from each defendant for bodily injury, pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability, medical expenses among other losses sustained due to their alleged negligence. Merrill is demanding a jury trial and requests additional relief deemed appropriate by the court including costs and pre-judgment interest.
Representing Arthur C. Merrill Jr., attorney Rebeca Martinez Sicari from Napoli Shkolnik law firm filed this case under Case Number: 502025CA001849XXXAMB.