Personal injury law firm Spetsas Buist files a lawsuit against Sun City Hilton Head and Del Webb for alligator attack, alleging failure to properly maintain the property and keep it free from unreasonably dangerous conditions.
BLUFFTON, S.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The personal injury law firm Spetsas Buist has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a couple involved in a vicious alligator attack at Sun City Hilton Head in South Carolina. The lawsuit alleges that Del Webb Communities and Sun City Hilton Head Community Association negligently failed to take proper steps to mitigate the danger posed by alligators in the ponds within the community.
According to the lawsuit, Joseph Roeser suffered permanent injuries after being attacked by an alligator while he was working in the backyard of his Sun City home. His wife, Marian Roeser, heroically defended him and likely saved his life by striking the alligator with a tomato stake.
The lawsuit alleges that Del Webb Communities, the developer of Sun City Hilton Head, owed residents a duty to maintain the common areas of the community, including the ponds, in a reasonably safe condition. The lawsuit further alleges that Del Webb and Sun City failed to uphold this duty, resulting in Roeser being savagely attacked at his home.
This is not the first serious alligator attack at Sun City. An alligator reportedly attacked and killed 88-year-old Nancy Becker in Sun City Hilton Head in 2022. Like Roeser, Nancy Becker was in her yard at the time of the attack.
Other people have been attacked in Sun City in recent years and survived. Deborah Cook was reportedly attacked in Sun City while walking her dog in 2019, resulting in serious injuries to her leg and hand. Her husband, Gary, detailed her gruesome injuries in a 911 call. An unnamed 70-year-old man was also reportedly attacked at his Sun City home in 2021 while he was doing yardwork, suffering bites to his arms and legs.
“The residents and visitors aren’t responsible for monitoring and removing alligators in the community ponds,” said Attorney Charles Buist of Spetsas Buist.
“They pay a fee every month and trust that they can walk their dogs and work in their yards without getting attacked or killed by an alligator. Imagine if Mrs. Roeser hadn’t been there to fight the gator and save her husband? Imagine someone’s child or grandchild running after a dog down by that pond? These community associations need to do their job. Hilton Head will always be home to me, and it should be known for its charm and beauty, not alligator attacks.”
The lawsuit seeks damages for past and future medical bills, physical and mental pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life, among other damages.
Spetsas Buist continues to advocate for the rights of victims and their families in cases involving wrongful death and negligence throughout Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
About Spetsas Buist
Spetsas Buist Accident Injury Lawyers is an Orlando-based personal injury and wrongful death law firm dedicated to fighting for justice with integrity and compassion. The firm handles complex cases involving wrongful death, negligent security, trucking accidents, and more. At Spetsas Buist, clients are given direct access to a lawyer from start to finish and only pay if they win. They combine an aggressive courtroom approach with compassionate, client-focused support to ensure every voice is heard and relentlessly represented. For more information on the firm, visit their website at https://www.spetsasbuist.com/.
For interviews with Spetsas Buist representatives or the family involved in this case, please contact Zabrina Zulaica at [email protected].
Contacts
Zabrina Zulaica
[email protected]
