A widow whose husband sued a restaurant in downtown Ocala after his walker allegedly slipped on a doormat and caused him to fall, has dismissed the lawsuit in light of a settlement that came over a year-and-a-half after her husband passed away.
The lawsuit was originally filed in October 2023 by attorneys representing the late Charles Headen. The complaint sought over $50,000 in damages from Harry’s of Ocala, LLC, doing business as Harry’s Seafood, Bar & Grille.
According to the initial filing, Headen was entering the restaurant at 24 SE 1st Avenue on May 5, 2023, when his walker became stuck on a mat placed over a transitional threshold.
Headen alleged that the snag caused him to be violently thrown to the ground, resulting in permanent injuries, significant medical expenses, and a loss of earning capacity.
Headen passed away on April 3, 2024, approximately six months after the case was initiated. Following his death, his widow continued the legal proceedings as the representative of his estate.
Court records indicate that the two parties engaged in mediation throughout 2025. According to the court docket, a notice of settlement was filed on October 24, 2025, approximately two years and two weeks after the case was first brought before the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court of Marion County.
While the specific financial terms of the agreement remain undisclosed, the widow filed a voluntary dismissal with prejudice on December 1, 2025, effectively closing the case nearly 18 months after her husband’s death.