In a lawsuit filed against the Marion County School Board, an Ocala man claims he sustained “severe bodily injury” while allegedly walking on bleachers that collapsed at Forest High School.
Orlando-based Dan Newlin Injury Attorneys filed the lawsuit on behalf of Ernie Benjamin on December 7, 2023 in the fifth judicial circuit court of Marion County.
According to the complaint, Benjamin was visiting the high school, which is located at 5000 SE Maricamp Road in Ocala, on November 29, 2022.
During his visit, Benjamin claims he “stepped on a bleacher” that “fell in on itself.” As a result, he says he “fell forcefully to the ground” and sustained “severe bodily injury.”
Benjamin’s attorneys argue that the school board was negligent in “failing to maintain or adequately maintain the bleacher,” and that the board did not “adequately inspect the cleanliness of the bleacher.”
As a result of the alleged negligence, Benjamin’s attorneys argue that their client suffered “significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function and/or permanent and significant scarring.”
“Plaintiff will suffer or incur the injuries, expenses, and impairment in the future,” reads the complaint.
Benjamin is seeking in excess of $50,000, “exclusive of interest, costs, and attorney’s fees.”
On Monday, Suzanne Green of DGH Legal filed a notice of appearance on behalf of the school board, according to Marion County court records.
No additional filings have been made since January 8.