Mary McQuillan is seeking justice after a visit to a cemetery turned into a painful ordeal. On November 14, 2025, McQuillan filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, against Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery and the Diocese of Palm Beach. The lawsuit accuses these entities of negligence leading to her injury during a funeral service.
The incident occurred on June 9, 2025, when McQuillan attended a funeral at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery located at 10941 Southern Boulevard in Palm Beach County. As she approached the burial site to pay her respects, she unknowingly stepped onto a green carpet that concealed a flat headstone lower than the surrounding area. This caused her to lose balance and fall, resulting in permanent bodily injuries. The plaintiff claims that both defendants had constructed or assembled the wooden platform and green carpet around the burial site without proper safety measures or warnings about potential hazards.
McQuillan’s complaint asserts that both Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery and the Diocese of Palm Beach breached their duty to maintain safe premises for visitors. She alleges that they failed to inspect and rectify hazardous conditions or warn attendees about latent dangers like the hidden headstone. According to McQuillan, this negligence led directly to her injuries which include physical pain, mental anguish, disability, and other long-term impacts on her quality of life.
The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages exceeding $50,000 for medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other related costs. Additionally, McQuillan demands post-judgment interest and any further relief deemed appropriate by the court. Her legal representation from Morgan & Morgan P.A., specifically attorney Andres Hermida, emphasizes their commitment to holding the defendants accountable for failing to ensure visitor safety.
In this case presided over by Judge Michael A. Caruso under Case ID 502025CA011897XXXAMB Div: AJ., Mary McQuillan is determined to secure compensation for her ordeal while highlighting issues of public safety at religious institutions’ properties.
Source: 502025CA011897XXXAMB_Mary_Macquillan_v_Our_Lady_Queen_Complaint_Palm_Beach_County_Florida.pdf
