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City worker files suit against Tarpon Springs

The worker, the lawsuit says, suffered serious injuries in a March 2002 accident caused by a police cruiser.

By NORA KOCH
Published May 10, 2005

TARPON SPRINGS - A municipal utilities worker driving a city truck rear-ended by a Tarpon Springs police cruiser in 2002 is suing his employer over the accident.

Michael Jenks, 45, a senior technician with the city's water distribution division, was working on March 28, 2002, when he was hit by a police cruiser driven by former Officer Romando M. Black.

Jenks' attorney, N. Michael Murburg Jr. of New Port Richey, filed a suit on behalf of Jenks and his wife, Carol, seeking damages from the city of Tarpon Springs. The suit seeks at least $15,000 in damages. Florida law limits damages at $100,000 in such a case.

The city will handle the suit through the Florida League of Cities, which handles liability claims against the city, said City Attorney John Hubbard. The city has not yet taken any action.

The suit, filed April 28, says Jenks suffered serious injuries in the accident, which was caused by Black while he was driving another vehicle on city time. His wife also is seeking compensation for medical expenses and loss of companionship, according to the complaint.

Jenks, who has worked for the city since 1979, was on Martin Luther King Drive, waiting to turn left on Walton Avenue when Black's cruiser hit the 1997 Ford F-350 pickup truck from behind.

Black, who retired on medical disability from the police department in April 2003, said he "didn't realize that (the truck) was stopping," according to a police report.

"He may have looked away and by the time he realized the vehicle had stopped it was too late to avoid the crash," the report said.

Black could not be reached Monday.

After the initial impact, the 1999 Ford cruiser struck the truck a second time.

Police estimated about $2,500 damage to the cruiser, which was towed from the scene. The city's truck took about $100 damage and was driven away, according to the report.

Jenks was taken to the hospital and is still receiving medical treatment for injuries from the accident, his attorney said. He suffered a leg injury and a disk injury, Murburg said.

Jenks still works for the city and has a pending worker's compensation case stemming from the accident.

"He went right back to work as soon as he could," Murburg said. Murburg did not say how much work Jenks missed.

Murburg said the city has been gracious to Jenks since the accident, altering the ergonomics of his vehicle so he is more comfortable and making other accommodations.

But worker's compensation has not covered all of Jenks' lost wages or medical bills and does not pay for pain and suffering, Murburg said.

[Last modified May 10, 2005, 01:02:19]