BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2025 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A Boca Raton resident is suing the City of Boca Raton, a developer, and a construction company, alleging a dangerously uneven sidewalk caused him to suffer a “horrible fall” that resulted in a severely fractured hip. Howard Cooperstein filed the negligence lawsuit Monday in Palm Beach County Circuit Court, seeking damages in excess of $50,000. The suit names the City of Boca Raton, La Reve, LLC, and Pirtle Construction, Inc. as defendants.
The complaint states the incident occurred on or about October 21, 2024, nearly one year before the suit was filed. Cooperstein, identified as a Boca Raton resident, was reportedly walking on the public sidewalk on the southeast side of NE Mizner Blvd, just before the intersection with East Boca Raton Road. The lawsuit alleges this area, located in front of the Le Reve townhome community, contained a “dangerous condition” that caused his fall. As a result, Cooperstein claims he “suffered severe life altering injuries including a severely fractured hip that required surgical intervention”.
Cooperstein’s lawsuit targets the City of Boca Raton as the alleged owner of the sidewalk. The filing claims the city “owed a duty to COOPERSTEIN to properly maintain the sidewalk in a reasonably safe manner”. The suit accuses BOCA of negligence, alleging the city either created the dangerous condition or knew, or should have known, about the hazard and “failed to correct” it. The city is also accused of failing to warn pedestrians of the danger.
The complaint also names La Reve, LLC, the owner and operator of the adjacent “Le Reve” townhome community, and its general contractor, Pirtle Construction, Inc. The suit alleges that Pirtle, while building the townhomes, “created a dangerous condition on the Subject Area by making the sidewalk uneven”. The lawsuit contends that both La Reve and Pirtle “exercised actual or implied control over the Subject Area” and had a duty to ensure public safety or warn of the hazardous condition.
Cooperstein is seeking judgment against all three defendants for damages related to his injuries. The complaint lists severe impacts, including pain and suffering, medical expenses, physical handicap, permanent injuries, and loss of income. The plaintiff, represented by attorney Edward H. Zebersky of Berger Singerman LLP, has demanded a jury trial.
Read the complaint, below.
