Compensation is being sought after a Florida woman alleges apartment management was negligent about issues raised.
LARGO, Fla. — The new year just started, but Patricia Shields said the effects of the last year still linger for her.
Shields said two of her toes had to be amputated because of infections from spider bites while living in her old apartment in Largo. She is now suing apartment management.
“That was horrifying. I was never so scared in my life,” Shields said.
In a lawsuit filed late last year, Shields is claiming negligence from Grand Oak Apartments and other defendants. She is seeking monetary compensation as a result.
Shields said she noticed the spiders within two weeks of moving into the apartment November 2024. Being on disability and on Section 8 housing at the time, she said she had lost her cottage home from Hurricane Helene months prior.
“I was happy, and then I kept getting bit over and over and over again,” Shields said. “It was always in the bathroom.”
Images Shields shared include oozing wounds, along with a swollen foot. 10 Tampa Bay News has not verified the type of spider, but Shields said medical records and statements from doctors claim they did stem from a spider.
Shields said what she thought would be a quick trip to urgent care led to staff calling an ambulance for her and later being told amputation was necessary.
“The doctor came in and he goes, ‘We have to or you’re going to end up losing your whole foot or your leg,'” Shields said. “I thought it was a joke.”
In her lawsuit, Shields claims she reported the issue to property management, including bites she sustained, but alleges the property management did not effectively respond.
According to court filings, defendants in the case deny the allegations and also state the complaint fails to plead with specificity, among other issues raised. A motion to dismiss was filed or in the alternative, motion for more definite statement.
10 Tampa Bay News called and left messages to Grand Oak Apartments for comment on the lawsuit and will update this article once a response is provided by defendants.
David Knox, the attorney representing Shields, directed 10 Tampa Bay News to review the case pleadings.