An elderly Summerfield woman has sued a local bank, alleging that a poorly maintained and unlit parking lot led to a severe “face plant” injury.
The lawsuit was filed in the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court of Marion County on Feb. 3, by Linda Hunkapiller of Summerfield.
According to the complaint, Hunkapiller was visiting the Truist Bank branch located at 10970 SE 175th Pl in Summerfield to use the ATM on the evening of January 4.
Hunkapiller claims that, as she walked from the parking lot toward the ATM, the area was “pitch black.”
While Hunkapiller says she was routinely familiar with the bank and knew when the lights in the parking lot were typically on, she alleges the bank failed to properly adjust the timers for the exterior lighting and that they were mistakenly off at the time.
The complaint further alleges that Hunkapiller “face planted” after tripping on broken asphalt in the parking lot while trying to navigate the darkness.
The suit argues that these conditions were in direct violation of multiple safety regulations, including the Florida Building Code and the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code.
The lawsuit claims the fall resulted in bodily and terminal injuries, physical and mental pain and suffering, and physical impairment.
Furthermore, the complaint alleges that Hunkapiller has suffered disfigurement, mental anguish, the aggravation of a pre-existing condition, and a loss of earning power and capacity.
The filing asserts that Truist breached its “non-delegable duty” to maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition and failed to warn visitors of dangerous conditions it should have known about.
Hunkapiller is seeking damages in excess of $50,000 for injuries she characterizes as permanent and continuing.
Truist Financial Corporation has not yet filed a formal response to the allegations in court.
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