In a dramatic legal battle unfolding in Pinellas County, Florida, a woman has filed a lawsuit against a local restaurant and its owner following an unfortunate incident that left her with severe injuries. On October 22, 2025, Jill Lauren Spinnenweber initiated legal proceedings in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit against Roger S. Hendricks and Balzano, Inc., which operates under the name “The Joint” or “The Joint St. Pete.”
According to the complaint, Spinnenweber’s visit to The Joint on October 27, 2023, turned into a nightmare when she was struck by a patio umbrella that was blown over by wind onto a propane heater, causing it to fall on her. The plaintiff alleges that both defendants were negligent in securing these outdoor fixtures despite knowing the area experienced occasional gusts of wind. The lawsuit accuses Hendricks and Balzano of failing to maintain safe conditions for business invitees like Spinnenweber and neglecting to provide adequate warnings about potential hazards.
Spinnenweber’s attorney argues that both defendants breached their duty of care by allowing dangerous conditions to persist at the restaurant’s patio dining area. “Neither Defendant Hendricks nor Defendant Balzano had warned Plaintiff…that the propane heater and/or the patio umbrella had not been improperly secured,” states the complaint. It further details multiple failures on their part, including inadequate inspections and lack of proper safety procedures.
Seeking justice for her ordeal, Spinnenweber is demanding damages exceeding $50,000 from each defendant. She claims to have suffered significant physical and emotional trauma as a result of their negligence, with ongoing pain and suffering expected in the future. The lawsuit requests a jury trial and seeks compensation for medical expenses incurred due to hospitalization and treatment required after the incident.
Representing Jill Lauren Spinnenweber is attorney Timothy B. Perenich from Perenich Law PL based in Clearwater, Florida. The case has been assigned Case Number 25-005949-CI.
Source: 25005949CI_Jill_Lauren_v_Roger_Hendricks_Complaint_Pinellas_County_Florida.pdf
