In a dramatic turn of events, a Florida resident has taken legal action against three major construction and energy companies, alleging negligence that led to severe injuries. John Barr filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, on February 19, 2026, targeting ZEP Construction, Inc., MAC Construction Services, LLC, and Duke Energy Florida, LLC.
The case revolves around an incident that occurred on August 3, 2025. According to the complaint, John Barr was riding his bicycle along the Courtney Campbell Causeway Trail when he encountered crane mats placed over a sidewalk by the defendants as part of a construction project. The lawsuit claims these mats created hazardous conditions due to gaps and uneven surfaces. Barr’s bicycle wheel got caught in one of these gaps, causing him to crash violently and sustain severe injuries.
The construction project at the heart of this lawsuit was awarded to ZEP Construction by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) on July 2, 2024. It involved constructing a pedestrian/bicycle overpass and other infrastructure improvements along SR 60 in Clearwater. Duke Energy was responsible for relocating utility poles as part of this project under FDOT’s Utility Work Schedule requirements.
John Barr accuses ZEP Construction of failing to maintain safe travel lanes during their work and neglecting to implement adequate Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) plans. He alleges that ZEP left improperly installed crane mats on sidewalks without proper warning signs or barriers. Similarly, MAC Construction is accused of placing these mats unsafely and not ensuring they were secure or aligned correctly.
Duke Energy also faces allegations for its role in creating dangerous conditions by not coordinating with other contractors or verifying safety measures after completing its tasks related to utility pole relocation.
Barr seeks compensation exceeding $50,000 from each defendant for damages resulting from his injuries – including pain and suffering – as well as interest costs incurred throughout litigation proceedings. He argues that all three companies breached their duty of care towards him while engaging in construction activities near public areas like sidewalks used frequently by cyclists such as himself.
Representing John Barr are attorneys Dean Burnetti Law with W. John Gadd serving as counsel-of-record alongside Jessica Burnetti who can be reached via email at jessica@burnettilaw.com or phone number (863)287-6388; fax number being (863)279-1212 located at 1937 E Edgewood Dr Suite #102 Lakeland FL zip code being 33803
This high-stakes legal battle unfolds before Judge Ken Burke presiding over Case Number:26-001110-CI within Civil Division proceedings held inside Pinellas County Courthouse premises where justice will ultimately determine whether negligence indeed played any part leading up towards unfortunate events experienced firsthand by plaintiff Mr.John barr himself!
Source: 26001110CI_John_Barr_v_Zep_Construction_Complaint_Pinellas_County_Florida.pdf
