A recent lawsuit claims that failure to properly maintain a public boardwalk led to serious injuries for a local resident who fell through rotting boards while using the walkway with a double hand walker. The complaint was filed by Francis Horan in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in and for Pinellas County, Florida, on March 17, 2026, naming the Florida Department of Transportation and Webber Infrastructure Management, Inc. as defendants.
According to court documents, Horan alleges that on March 18, 2024, he was lawfully using a boardwalk-style walkway located off Gandy Boulevard in St. Petersburg when he encountered what is described as an “unreasonably dangerous condition.” The filing states that rotten and deteriorated wooden boards collapsed beneath him without warning or markings indicating any hazard, causing him to fall through the structure and sustain injuries.
The lawsuit outlines that the Florida Department of Transportation owned and controlled the boardwalk at the time of the incident. Webber Infrastructure Management, Inc., formerly known as Ferrovial Services Infrastructure, Inc., is identified as having maintained, operated, or controlled the same boardwalk under contract with the department. Horan’s attorneys assert that both entities owed “a duty to reasonably maintain its property to not expose persons…to unreasonable bodily injury or harm,” as well as an obligation to warn users about hidden dangers.
The complaint asserts that all legal prerequisites were met before filing suit against the state agency. It notes written notice was provided to the Florida Department of Transportation and that Horan’s claim had been denied prior to litigation. The document further alleges that both defendants either knew or should have known about the hazardous condition because it existed for sufficient time “to have been reasonably discovered” by those responsible for maintenance.
Specific allegations against both defendants include failing to provide warnings about unsafe conditions; failing to prevent access to areas containing dangerous conditions; failing to reasonably maintain or inspect premises; and failing to provide an environment free from unreasonably dangerous conditions. The complaint details various damages suffered by Horan as a result of his fall: “bodily injury; medical and related expenses incurred in seeking a cure for his injuries; pain and suffering; loss of capacity to lead and enjoy a normal life; mental anguish; loss of income and/or diminution of earning capacity; physical impairment; inconvenience; disfigurement and scarring; and aggravation of an existing disease or defect.”
Horan seeks damages in excess of $50,000 exclusive of costs and interest from each defendant. He requests a jury trial as well as any other relief deemed just by the court.
The case is being handled by attorneys Michael L. Walker (FBN: 0796344), Joshua T. Walker (FBN: 0124281), and Thomas N. Eggleston (FBN: 1055224) from The Walker Law Group in St. Petersburg. The case number is 26-001690-CI.
Source: 26001690CI_Francis_Horan_v_Florida_Department_Complaint_Pinellas_County_Florida.pdf
