A resident of The Villages has filed a negligence lawsuit against UF Health Spanish Plaines Hospital after a fall inside a patient room allegedly left her with serious physical injuries.
Patricia Udell filed the lawsuit in Fifth Judicial Circuit Court of Sumter County against The Villages Tri-County Medical Center, Inc., which owns and operates UF Health Spanish Plaines Hospital.
The alleged incident occurred on July 24, 2025, when Udell went to visit her hospitalized husband at the hospital, which is located at 1451 El Camino Real in The Villages.
According to the complaint, as Udell stepped into Room 424 on the fourth floor where her husband was admitted, she allegedly encountered a sticky substance on the floor. The sticky condition caused her foot to catch, leading to a loss of balance and a fall to the ground.
According to the lawsuit, as a nurse rushed over to help Udell off the floor, she “spontaneously uttered” that Udell was not the first person to fall that day as a result of the floor’s condition.
The lawsuit goes on to accuse the hospital of breaching its non-delegable duty to maintain the facility in a reasonably safe condition for visitors. The complaint alleges the hospital failed to properly inspect the walkway, failed to maintain the flooring, failed to warn guests of the dangerous surface, and failed to promptly clean or correct the transitory hazard despite having knowledge that other individuals had already slipped or fallen earlier that day.
As a direct result of the fall, Udell claims she suffered severe bodily injuries, pain and suffering, physical disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, and medical and hospitalization expenses. The lawsuit notes that her injuries and losses are either permanent or continuing in nature.
The complaint demands a jury trial and seeks monetary damages in excess of $50,000, exclusive of court costs and interest.
A slip and fall accident can cause serious injuries that disrupt your daily life, from broken bones and head trauma to long‑term mobility issues. These accidents often happen due to hazardous conditions such as wet floors, uneven surfaces, poor lighting, or lack of proper warnings. At Ovadia Law Group, we understand how overwhelming it can be to recover from a slip and fall injury while dealing with medical bills and lost income. Our experienced slip and fall accident lawyers work to determine liability, whether the accident occurred in a store, apartment complex, workplace, or public property. Property owners have a legal duty to maintain safe premises, and when they fail to do so, victims may be entitled to compensation. We handle negotiations with insurance companies and fight for your rights every step of the way. If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident, call 1‑800‑674‑9396 for a free consultation to learn how we can help.
Source: Villages-news
