Family Sues Retirement Community After Fatal Alligator Attack

You know you have visited Florida when you see an alligator swimming in a lake or canal or lounging by the water’s edge while you are driving on a rural stretch of highway or while you are fishing or canoeing.  You know that you are a Florida resident, however, when you see the same gator so many times that you are on a first name basis.  Waterfront residential communities are part of Florida’s appeal for retirees, and many of the canals and artificial lakes are home to properties.  An alligator named Henry coexisted peacefully with a community of retirees in Fort Pierce until, one day, his reptilian instincts got the better of him.  Now the family of an alligator attack victim has filed a lawsuit.  They allege that, not only did the retirement community developer fail to reduce the risk of gator attacks, but rather they led the victim directly into harm’s way.  If you have been injured in an alligator attack on private property, contact a Fort Lauderdale premises liability lawyer.

Surviving Family Members Allege That Retirement Community Left Woman No Choice but to Walk Her Dog Near an Alligator Pond

The operators of Spanish Lakes Fairways, a retirement community in Fort Pierce, designed it with enough regard for safety to install closed circuit television throughout the grounds.  They were so concerned for safety, or perhaps for appearances, that they cautioned Gloria Serge not to walk her dog Trooper in front of her house, near the main road.  This meant that Serge’s only option for escorting Trooper to answer a call of nature was to walk him behind her house, next to the pond.  In fact, the management even threatened to evict Serge if she continued to walk Trooper in front of her house.

The trouble was that the only walking route that remained for Serge and Trooper was near the home of Henry, an 11-foot alligator who resided in the pond.  Residents and staff members used to feed Henry leftover chicken from their dinners.  As a result, Henry had lost his natural fear of humans.  One day in February 2023, while Serge was walking Trooper by the lake, Henry lunged out of the water and dragged Serge in.  The CCTV footage shows neighbors attempting to rescue her, but she died of her injuries.  She was 85 years old.

Serge’s children have filed a lawsuit against Spanish Lakes Fairways, claiming premises liability.  They allege that, by pressuring Serge to walk her dog beside the pond, and by allowing Henry to reside in the pond and even feeding him to encourage him to approach humans, the management of Spanish Lakes delivered Serge directly into the alligator’s jaws.

Set Up a Consultation Today

A premises liability lawyer can help you recover damages if you were injured in an animal attack on a residential property where management should have removed dangerous animals.  Contact Boone & Davis in Fort Lauderdale, Florida or call 954-566-919 to explore your potential recovery options today.

Source:

theguardian.com/us-news/2024/jan/26/florida-woman-killed-by-alligator-retirement-home-lawsuit