A lawsuit has been filed alleging that a convenience store operator failed to maintain safe conditions for customers, resulting in serious injury after a slip and fall incident. The complaint was submitted by Jacqueline Winters in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida on March 18, 2026, naming Speedway, LLC as the defendant.
According to court documents, Winters claims that on or about March 24, 2025, she was shopping at the Speedway gas station and convenience store located at 32 Bay Esplanade in Clearwater Beach when she slipped and fell over what is described as a “transitory foreign substance” on the floor. The complaint states that this incident caused her “severe injuries.” Winters is seeking damages in excess of $50,000.
The filing outlines that jurisdiction is proper under Florida law because Speedway operates its business within the state and specifically at the Clearwater Beach location where the alleged incident occurred. The document notes that Winters is a resident of Portsmouth, Virginia but asserts venue is appropriate in Pinellas County since “the incident and the actions giving rise to the causes of action occurred” there.
Winters alleges that Speedway owed her “a duty to maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition, conduct regular inspections for hazards, repair defects, and warn of concealed dangers.” The complaint accuses Speedway of breaching these duties by creating or allowing a hazardous condition to exist inside the store. Specific allegations include failing to provide a safe walkway for guests; carelessly permitting an unsafe condition to remain; failing to warn customers about it; not correcting or removing it; and not taking reasonable precautions to protect against such hazards.
The document states: “Defendant SPEEDWAY was careless and negligent and did not use reasonable care in its duties to Plaintiff.” It further alleges that these failures directly resulted in permanent bodily injury for Winters. According to her claim, she suffered pain and suffering, mental anguish, disability, disfigurement, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses including hospitalization and nursing care, lost wages, and diminished future earning capacity. The complaint asserts these losses are either permanent or continuing.
Winters requests judgment against Speedway for damages exceeding $50,000 plus post-judgment interest. She also seeks attorneys’ fees where appropriate and taxable costs associated with pursuing her claim. Additionally, she demands a trial by jury on all issues so triable.
The case was filed by attorney Gregg Spagnolia of Jurewitz Law Group based in Tampa. The case number is 26-001701-CI.
Source: 26001701CI_Jacqueline_Winters_v_Speedway_Complaint_Pinellas_County_Florida.pdf
