Janelle Irwin Taylor
A local musician is suing Shorecrest Preparatory School in St. Petersburg saying a large stage prop fell on him during a music practice on the school’s campus.
Thomas “TJ” Glowacki is a professional bassist and audio engineer and adjunct faculty member at St. Petersburg College where he teaches various music classes including recording studio ensemble and acoustics and psychoacoustics.
The incident occurred more than three years ago at the private pre-k through grade 12 school in northeast St. Petersburg. It’s not clear why Glowacki was rehearsing at the school. Glowacki’s attorney, Douglas Mohney, did not immediately respond to an interview request.
However, in his lawsuit, Glowacki says a large stage prop fell from above him, sticking him and causing several injuries including abrasions and contusions and injury to his nervous system. The lawsuit does not list specific damages but seeks relief in excess of $15,000.
According to Glowacki’s lawsuit, the school was exclusively at fault, knew of potential risks and failed to notify him of those risks. He claims the school was negligent because they failed to avoid “defective and dangerous” conditions of which the school had “actual knowledge and notice,” but did not warn him.
Glowacki says he was hospitalized and received medical treatment and nursing care and his injuries caused permanent damage to his ability to pursue “normal pursuits of life.”
Glowacki is still working. His SPC bio lists active office hours and says the musician also works at the Patel Conservatory and Hillsborough Community College. His bio also says he has performed with famous musicians including Marie Osmond, Robert Goulet, Andrea Bocelli, Alan Parsons and Barry Manilow.
A Shorecrest spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The school is a non-profit private school. Tuition ranges from $10,900 a year for part-time pre-K to $25,800 a year for high school students.
Glowacki’s lawsuit was filed in Pinellas County Court Oct. 22.
