A civil lawsuit has been filed seeking damages exceeding $50,000 following an automobile collision that allegedly resulted in permanent injuries and economic losses for the plaintiff. The complaint was submitted by Brian Schultz in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, on March 20, 2026, naming Tyrone Sedgwick Davis and Hillery Rashelle Cook as defendants.
According to court documents, Brian Schultz claims that he was involved in a motor vehicle accident on April 2, 2022, at the intersection of Court Street and South Missouri Avenue in Clearwater. Schultz alleges that Hillery Rashelle Cook was operating a vehicle owned by Tyrone Sedgwick Davis when the collision occurred. The plaintiff asserts that Cook negligently operated or carelessly maintained the vehicle, resulting in a crash with Schultz’s car.
The complaint outlines two main counts against the defendants. In Count I, Schultz alleges automobile negligence against Cook. He states that as a direct result of Cook’s actions, he sustained “severe, continuing and permanent injuries,” including “a significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function,” “permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability,” and “significant and permanent scarring and disfigurement.” The filing further claims that these injuries have led to ongoing pain and suffering, diminished enjoyment of life, past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced capacity to earn income moving forward.
Schultz also claims that Cook’s alleged negligence aggravated certain pre-existing conditions. He notes that even if it is determined at trial that no permanent injury occurred or if statutory thresholds under Florida’s No-Fault Act are not met, he has nonetheless experienced economic losses due to the incident which have not been reimbursed from any collateral source.
In Count II of the complaint, Schultz brings a claim of vicarious liability against Tyrone Sedgwick Davis as the owner of the vehicle involved in the accident. Citing Florida’s “dangerous instrumentality doctrine,” Schultz argues that Davis is legally responsible for all damages caused by Cook while operating his vehicle. The complaint reiterates claims regarding physical injuries as well as financial impacts such as medical expenses incurred both before and after the accident date (April 2, 2022), lost wages resulting from time away from work due to injuries sustained in the crash, and future loss of earning capacity.
For both counts against Cook and Davis respectively, Schultz requests judgment for damages along with associated costs. He also demands a jury trial on all triable issues presented by his complaint.
The legal action is being pursued by attorney Joseph D. Catania of Catania & Catania P.A., who certified service of process upon both defendants. The case has been assigned number 26-001767-CI.
Source: 26001767CI_Brian-Schultz_v_Tyrone_Sedwick_Complaint_Pinellas_County_Florida.pdf
