A recent lawsuit claims that a local government’s failure to maintain public sidewalks led to significant personal injuries for a pedestrian. The complaint was filed by Kathy Eden in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in and for Pinellas County, Florida, on March 18, 2026, naming the City of Dunedin as defendant.
According to court documents, Kathy Eden alleges that on April 6, 2025, she was walking along a public sidewalk near 234 Douglas Avenue in Dunedin when she tripped on an uneven surface and fell. The filing states that the City of Dunedin is responsible for maintaining sidewalks within its jurisdiction and that it did not take reasonable steps to ensure their safety at the time of the incident.
The complaint outlines several claims regarding the city’s responsibilities and actions. It asserts that “Defendant, CITY OF DUNEDIN, by and through its employees, servants, and/or agents could reasonably anticipate that its mode of operation for ensuring public safety was not reasonable.” Eden contends that as a result of this alleged negligence, she suffered “a significant permanent loss of important bodily functions resulting in pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life,” as well as medical expenses and lost wages. The document notes these losses are either permanent or continuing.
The legal arguments focus on negligence. Eden claims that the city owed her “a duty to exercise reasonable care in inspecting and maintaining the public sidewalk” where her fall occurred. She alleges multiple breaches by the city: failing to properly maintain or inspect the sidewalk; failing to warn pedestrians about potential dangers; not correcting hazardous conditions despite knowing or having reason to know about them; and creating what she describes as “an unreasonably dangerous condition” for those using the walkway.
Eden argues these omissions directly caused her injuries. The complaint states: “As a direct and proximate cause of the negligence of Defendant, CITY OF DUNEDIN… Plaintiff… tripped and fell off the subject sidewalk, sustaining injuries as set forth.” She further alleges that her injuries have resulted in ongoing pain and suffering with lasting effects on her quality of life.
The lawsuit seeks judgment for damages exceeding $50,000—excluding interest, costs, and attorney’s fees—as well as any other relief deemed appropriate by the court. In addition to monetary compensation for her injuries and related losses such as medical care and lost income capacity, Eden requests reimbursement for legal costs associated with bringing this action.
The filing also includes a demand for a jury trial pursuant to Rule 1.430 of the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure. This means all factual questions raised by Eden’s complaint will be decided by a jury if the case proceeds to trial.
Kathy Eden is represented by attorneys Chase P. Mead (Florida Bar Number: 1048507) and George E. Tragos (Florida Bar Number: 184830) from Tragos, Sartes & Tragos PLLC based in Clearwater. The case is identified under number 26-001725-CI.
Source: 26001725CI_Kathy_Eden_v_City_of_Dunedin_Complaint_Pinellas_County_Florida.pdf
