A St. Petersburg resident has taken legal action against a well-known convenience store chain and a property management company, claiming negligence led to her severe injury. On March 10, 2025, Eboney McKinnon filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, against Wawa, Inc., and Mariner Square Properties LLC.
The case stems from an incident on February 2, 2024, when McKinnon visited the Wawa convenience store located at 5901 9th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, Florida. As she walked through the store, she slipped on a liquid substance on the floor, which she alleges was a dangerous condition that posed an unreasonable risk to patrons. The complaint states that both defendants had a duty to maintain the premises safely and failed to inspect and remedy hazardous conditions or warn customers of potential dangers.
According to McKinnon's allegations, Wawa Inc., as the operator of the convenience store known as "WAWA #5241," neglected its responsibility by not keeping the premises safe for invitees like herself. The complaint accuses Wawa of failing to conduct reasonable inspections and allowing a hazardous condition to persist without proper cleanup or warning signs. Similarly, Mariner Square Properties LLC is accused of not ensuring that its tenant maintained safe conditions on their property and failing to perform adequate inspections or take necessary actions to mitigate risks.
McKinnon claims that as a direct result of this negligence by both defendants, she suffered severe and permanent injuries requiring medical treatment and causing significant pain and suffering. She is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 from each defendant for bodily injury, disability, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses incurred due to her injuries both past and anticipated in future.
Representing McKinnon is attorney Daniel Hartpence from Clark Hartpence Law based in St. Petersburg. The case has been assigned Case Number: 25-001146-CI with Judge Ken Burke overseeing proceedings.