A recent lawsuit claims that a woman suffered significant injuries after falling from a ladder while visiting a local property at the request of its owner, raising questions about premises safety and the responsibilities of homeowners toward their guests. The complaint was filed by Nina Cruze in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, on March 24, 2026, naming Charles Farrow as the defendant.
According to court documents, Nina Cruze alleges that on November 23, 2025, she visited Charles Farrow’s property located at 6456 31st Terrace N., St. Petersburg. She states that she was there at Farrow’s invitation to measure the roof in order to prepare a quote for repair or replacement work. Cruze claims that during her visit she was provided with a ladder by Farrow and was acting as a lawful guest on his premises.
The complaint outlines several duties that Cruze believes were owed to her by Farrow as the property owner. These include maintaining the premises in a reasonably safe condition, acting reasonably under the circumstances, and warning her of any dangerous conditions present on the property. Cruze asserts that these duties are nondelegable and are required under Florida law.
Cruze’s filing details multiple alleged breaches of duty by Farrow. She claims that he negligently provided her with a poorly maintained ladder which was unfit for climbing and that he either failed to secure it properly or left his position holding it steady as she attempted to descend from the roof. The document further alleges failures in maintaining overall safety on the site where she was performing her services.
As described in the complaint: “At said time and place, Defendant breached these duties to Plaintiff by committing one or more of the following omissions or commissions: (a) Negligently providing a ladder to Plaintiff which was poorly maintained… (b) Negligently securing or failing to secure the ladder… (c) Negligently failing to act reasonably under the circumstances; (d) Negligently failing to install, maintain and provide a safe environment on which Plaintiff was to perform her services.”
The incident reportedly resulted in Cruze falling approximately ten feet when either the ladder broke or became unstable after Farrow allegedly left his post at its base. As stated in court records: “As a result, while Plaintiff attempting to descend the ladder from Defendants’ roof, the ladder broke and/or Defendant left his place at the bottom of the ladder where he had been holding it in place, causing Plaintiff to fall approximately 10 ft, thus sustaining significant personal injuries.”
Cruze claims these injuries have led to pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement including permanent scarring, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses for hospitalization and care, lost earnings and earning capacity, as well as aggravation of pre-existing conditions. She asserts that some losses are permanent or continuing.
In response to these events, Cruze is seeking damages exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), plus interest and costs associated with litigation. She also demands trial by jury for all issues triable according to law.
The complaint concludes with representation details: Joel Williams of Morgan & Morgan Tampa P.A., located at 101 Riverfront Blvd., Suite 600 in Bradenton is listed as attorney for Nina Cruze. The case is identified under number 26-001828-CI.
Source: 26001828CI_Nina_Cruze_v_Charles_Farrow_Complaint_Pinellas_County_Florida.pdf
