Case Background
Brittney Cannon resided as a lawful tenant at a home located at 6721 Alaro Road in Jacksonville, Florida. ACA Investments LLC owned the property and contracted with Lighthouse Property Management & Realty, LLC to manage the premises.
Cause
The incident occurred on October 27, 2022. While Cannon occupied the bathroom of her rental unit, the ceiling suddenly collapsed and struck her. Cannon alleged that a dangerous condition caused the ceiling to weaken and fall into disrepair. She argued that both the owner and the management company had sufficient time to discover and repair the defect but failed to maintain the premises in a safe condition.
Injury
The falling debris caused Cannon to suffer serious and permanent bodily injuries. Her legal team documented that the impact resulted in physical pain, mental anguish, and the exacerbation of pre-existing conditions. These injuries led to a loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life and visible disfigurement.
Damages Sought
Cannon sought compensation exceeding $50,000.00 for her losses. Her claim included past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and diminished future earning capacity.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
The litigation began when Joseph Abdallah filed a formal complaint on Cannon’s behalf in March 2023. The case centered on whether the Defendants breached a non-delegable duty to keep the residential property safe for its tenants.
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Brittney Cannon.
· Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Joseph Abdallah | Ryan Fabre
Defendant(s): ACA Investments LLC | Lighthouse Property Management & Realty, LLC.
· Counsel for Defendant(s): Michael Lee Glass | Joseph M Abdallah | James Alexander Bledsoe, Jr | Hayley Crosby
· Experts for Defendant(s): Steven J. Lancaster | Marc Glickstein | Eric M. Gabriel | Timothy Hastings
Claims
Cannon asserted that ACA Investments and Lighthouse Property Management shared responsibility for the structural integrity of the home. She claimed the Defendants neglected their duty by failing to hire qualified professionals, such as plumbers or engineers, to inspect the ceiling's stability. Because the ceiling collapsed while she was simply using the bathroom, she argued the negligence of the property's controllers directly caused her suffering.
Defense
ACA Investments denied almost all allegations regarding negligence. The defense argued that Cannon herself bore responsibility for her injuries. They claimed she chose to remain in the bathroom despite having knowledge of the ceiling's deteriorating condition. Furthermore, the defense contended that the condition was "open and obvious," meaning Cannon should have avoided the area to protect her own safety. ACA Investments also stated they lacked actual or constructive notice of the defect, which made it impossible for them to cure the situation before the collapse occurred.
Jury Verdict
On March 12, 2026, the jury in the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Duval County, Florida, returned a verdict in favor of the Plaintiff, Brittney Cannon, in her case against ACA Investments LLC and Lighthouse Property Management & Realty, LLC. The jury found that both Defendants were negligent and that their negligence was a legal cause of injury to the Plaintiff. However, the jury also determined that Brittney Cannon was 15% negligent herself, while assigning 45% of the blame to ACA Investments LLC and 40% to Lighthouse Property Management & Realty, LLC. The total damages were calculated at $55,221.92, which included $35,221.97 for past medical expenses and $20,000.00 for past pain and suffering. Per the jury's instructions, this total amount will be reduced by the court to reflect the plaintiff's 15% share of negligence.
