102717judge-and-gavel

PREMISES LIABILITY

PINELLAS CIRCUIT COURT

The defense prevailed in a case where an 85-year-old retiree fell and broke her hip after she claimed she was struck by the automatic door at a municipal recreation center.

Louanne Kay claimed the door system was poorly designed, causing the door's sensor system to fail to detect her in the doorway.

The defense's mechanical engineer, who used to work for the door's designer, Stanley Access Technologies LLC, claimed the system was designed well and worked properly. Another defense expert presented a slow-motion video of the incident showing the doors did not hit Kay. The defense also noted there were no prior incidents involving the doors. The city of Largo, which operated the center, settled before trial.

Case: Kay v. City of Largo

Case No.: 16-002279-CI

Plaintiffs attorneys: Jeffrey K. Chambers and Joel Williams, Chambers Law Group, St. Petersburg

Defense attorneys: James R. Brown and Michael E. Reed, Wicker Smith O'Hara McCoy & Ford, Tampa