FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Danielle Smith Brings Negligence Claim After Ceiling Collapse at Fort Pierce Motel

FORT PIERCE, Fla. – September 14, 2026 – Danielle Smith has brought a negligence and premises-liability claim against Parkway Motel of Fort Pierce, LLC, doing business as Sunset Inn, arising from a September 14, 2024 ceiling collapse inside a guest room at the Fort Pierce property.

According to the complaint, Ms. Smith was a lawful guest at the Sunset Inn, located at 1802 South U.S. Highway 1, at approximately 5:30 a.m. When she went inside the room to answer her phone and bent down to retrieve her phone case, a section of the ceiling suddenly collapsed. The complaint alleges that drywall or other ceiling material struck Ms. Smith in the head. It states that she remembers waking on the floor with a friend standing over her.

The complaint alleges that the collapse resulted from a concealed and dangerously weak section of the ceiling. Witnesses reportedly entered or were present in the room, observed the aftermath, took photographs, and expressed concern about the unsafe condition.

Ms. Smith alleges that the motel owner failed to reasonably inspect, maintain, and repair the guest room ceiling and failed to warn her of a latent structural hazard that was not readily apparent. The complaint further alleges that these failures directly caused her injuries.

The claimed injuries include neck strain, hip strain, mid-back pain, shoulder pain, chronic pain, and related complications. Ms. Smith seeks compensation for past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, disability, physical impairment, mental anguish, inconvenience, aggravation of preexisting conditions, and loss of enjoyment of life. She has demanded a jury trial.

“Hotel guests should be able to trust that the room provided to them is reasonably safe,” said Gil Sanchez, counsel for Ms. Smith. “This action seeks accountability for the serious harm Ms. Smith alleges she suffered when the ceiling unexpectedly collapsed.”

The matter is brought in the Circuit Court of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit in and for St. Lucie County, Florida. Black Rock Trial Lawyers represents Ms. Smith.

About Black Rock Trial Lawyers:

Black Rock Trial Lawyers is a Florida-based litigation firm dedicated to representing individuals and families harmed by the negligence of others. The firm advocates for clients in serious personal injury, premises liability, wrongful death, and other civil litigation matters throughout Florida.

Download PDF of Press Release

Media Contact:

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