A lawsuit has been filed alleging that unsafe conditions on a public sidewalk adjacent to a downtown building led to significant injuries for a pedestrian who was forced to avoid an improperly parked vehicle. The complaint was submitted by Ungala Gillespie in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, on February 13, 2026, naming Hamilton Partnership, LLC and Courtesy Valet Corporation as defendants.
According to the filing, Gillespie claims that on November 26, 2022, she was walking along Fifth Avenue North near the entrance and exit of the parking garage at 400 Beach Drive NE in St. Petersburg after attending an event. At that time, an employee of Courtesy Valet Corporation allegedly parked a vehicle on the pedestrian sidewalk. The complaint states this action created “an immediate danger to Plaintiff and other pedestrians lawfully using the sidewalk.” Gillespie asserts that while attempting to avoid the vehicle, she fell and suffered multiple injuries including head trauma, facial injuries, orthopedic damage, cervical issues, soft tissue injuries, pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity.
The lawsuit details that Hamilton Partnership owns and operates the high-rise condominium at 400 Beach Drive NE where restaurant and retail facilities are located at street level. Courtesy Valet Corporation is described as providing valet parking services for patrons and residents of this building using its parking garage facilities with knowledge and consent from Hamilton Partnership.
Gillespie’s legal claim against Hamilton Partnership centers on allegations of negligence regarding maintenance of the premises. She argues that Hamilton Partnership had “a non-delegable duty to exercise reasonable care” for her safety as a business invitee but breached this duty by failing to maintain or inspect the entrance/exit area for hazards or warn pedestrians about potential dangers associated with valet operations. The complaint outlines several specific failures: not maintaining safe conditions free of hazards; not inspecting or warning about dangers; not correcting dangerous conditions related to valet operations; and creating or allowing hazardous situations such as vehicles blocking sidewalks.
Similarly, Gillespie alleges negligence against Courtesy Valet Corporation for its role in directing or driving vehicles onto pedestrian walkways where people were lawfully present. The suit claims Courtesy failed to maintain safe conditions at the garage entrance/exit area; did not inspect or warn about hazards; did not correct known dangerous conditions involving vehicles parked on sidewalks; and contributed directly by creating tripping hazards through its valet activities.
Both counts assert that Gillespie’s injuries were caused solely by actions or omissions of each defendant rather than any fault of her own. The complaint emphasizes ongoing impacts from her injuries including permanent bodily harm, physical impairment, mental anguish, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses—both past and future—and loss of earning ability.
For relief, Gillespie demands judgment for damages against both Hamilton Partnership LLC and Courtesy Valet Corporation in excess of $50,000 each (exclusive of costs), along with trial by jury on all triable issues.
The case is being handled by attorneys James A. Wardell and Andrew R. Mallory from Wardell Law Firm P.A., based in Tampa. The case number is 26-000994-CI.
Source: 26000994CI_Ungala_Gillespie_v_Hamilton_Partnership_Complaint_Pinellas_County_Florida.pdf
