A civil complaint has been filed alleging that a local restaurant failed to keep its premises safe for customers, resulting in injuries when an unsecured patio umbrella fell on a patron. The lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $50,000 and raises questions about safety practices at the establishment.
Joann Marie Van Tine filed the complaint on February 13, 2026, in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, naming Hurricane Lounge Inc., doing business as Hurricane Seafood Restaurant, as the defendant.
According to court documents, Van Tine claims she was visiting Hurricane Lounge Inc. as a business invitee on March 15, 2025, when she was struck on the top left side of her head by a closed but unsecured umbrella that fell from the restaurant’s patio area. The complaint alleges that Hurricane Lounge Inc. did not fulfill its duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for customers entering or moving about its premises.
The plaintiff outlines several specific allegations of negligence against the restaurant operator. These include “failing to maintain the premises in reasonable condition,” “permitting unsafe conditions to exist,” not warning patrons of dangerous situations, failing to use warning signs or barricades around hazardous areas, neglecting regular inspections that could have revealed unsafe conditions, and not maintaining safe pathways or restricting access to risky zones.
As stated in the filing: “As a direct and proximate result of Defendant…negligence, Plaintiff…suffered bodily injury and resulting pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, loss of capacity for enjoyment of life,” along with medical expenses and loss of earnings. The complaint further asserts that these losses are either permanent or continuing and may persist into the future. It also claims significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function and/or permanent scarring or disfigurement.
Van Tine is demanding a jury trial on all issues triable by right of jury. Alongside her complaint, she has served interrogatories—formal written questions—for Hurricane Lounge Inc. to answer within forty-five days under oath. These interrogatories seek detailed information regarding insurance policies covering such incidents; descriptions of how the event occurred; any affirmative defenses; prior similar incidents at the location; inspection records; names and addresses of employees present at the time; expert witnesses expected at trial; accident reports; previous lawsuits involving injuries at this address; maintenance procedures; photographs or videos related to the incident; and other relevant documentation.
The plaintiff also issued her first request for production of documents under Rule 1.350 of Florida Rules of Civil Procedure. This request asks for statements from witnesses or involved individuals regarding the incident; investigative notes or reports; photographs or videotapes before and after the event; liability insurance policies; prior claims or incident reports relating to injuries on site over five years preceding this event; surveillance materials concerning Van Tine herself; company policy manuals regarding operation and maintenance procedures; logs concerning complaints about maintenance or inspection at 809 Gulf Way (the restaurant’s address); lists identifying all employees working during the incident; contracts with potentially responsible third parties; and post-incident inspection records.
Additionally, Van Tine submitted requests for admissions directed at Hurricane Lounge Inc., asking them to confirm key facts such as ownership and control over the premises on March 15, 2025—the date alleged in her complaint—and responsibility for maintaining safe conditions thereon.
Service documents included with court filings instruct Hurricane Lounge Inc., through its registered agent Domonick Falkenstein at 809 Gulf Way in St. Pete Beach, Florida 33741, to respond within twenty days after service with written defenses—or risk default judgment being entered against them for relief demanded by Van Tine.
Attorneys Dennis Hernandez (Florida Bar Number: 915210) and Alleah Thornhill (Florida Bar Number: 1070779) from Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys represent Joann Marie Van Tine in this matter. The case is identified as Case Number: 26-000993-CI.
Source: 26000993CI_Joann_Marie_v_Hurricane_Complaint_Pinellas_County_Florida.pdf
