FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Black Rock Trial Lawyers Files Premises Liability Lawsuit After Resident Suffers Serious Injuries on Defective Stairway

Tampa, Florida — December 11, 2025 — Black Rock Trial Lawyers, PLLC has filed a civil lawsuit on behalf of Jose Orellana Macintosh, a Florida resident who was seriously injured while attending a New Year’s Eve event hosted by the City of Fort Lauderdale.

According to the complaint filed in the Circuit Court of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit in and for Broward County, Mr. Orellana Macintosh was injured on January 1, 2024, as he was leaving the City-sponsored event. The lawsuit alleges that temporary metal fencing placed along a public sidewalk created a dangerous tripping hazard and that Mr. Orellana Macintosh was directed by event staff into the hazardous area, where he fell and sustained serious injuries.

The complaint further alleges that Mr. Orellana Macintosh was transported to Broward Health Medical Center, where he was hospitalized for seven days and later underwent surgery on his left ankle as a result of the incident.

The lawsuit names the City of Fort Lauderdale and Area Wide Protective, Inc., the company allegedly responsible for the placement and maintenance of the temporary fencing, asserting claims for negligence and premises liability. The suit seeks damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost earnings, and other losses allegedly resulting from the incident.

“Public events should be safe for the people who attend them,” said Gil Sanchez, partner at Black Rock Trial Lawyers. “Our client alleges that preventable hazards were allowed to exist in a pedestrian area during a crowded public event, with devastating consequences. This lawsuit seeks accountability and justice for the injuries he suffered.”

Black Rock Trial Lawyers emphasizes that the allegations set forth in the complaint have not yet been adjudicated and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven otherwise in a court of law.

About Black Rock Trial Lawyers: 

Black Rock Trial Lawyers is a premier personal injury law firm dedicated to representing individuals and businesses in a wide range of legal matters. With a commitment to excellence and a proven track record of success, the firm strives to provide clients with the highest quality legal representation.

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Media Contact:

Monica Sanchez, COO
Black Rock Trial Lawyers, LLC
(813) 254-1777
monica@blackrocklaw.com