Woman says she broke ankle at open house

A Friendswood resident has filed suit against Highlands Homes Houston on claims of negligence and premises liability.

Kathleen Mascorro filed a lawsuit Jan. 12 in Galveston County District Court against Highland Homes Houston, citing injuries allegedly sustained in one of their properties.

According to the complaint, as Mascorro returned home from dropping her grandchildren off at school Jan. 8, 2014, she noticed an open house sign on a nearby property on Dolan Springs Lane. She walked over to find it empty but with the lights on and front door open, the suit states, she entered the house, slipped on the stairway and broke her ankle.

The suit alleges not only was the step Mascorro fell on not carpeted like the rest of the stairs but it was in violation of construction code by virtue of being taller than the rest. The plaintiff required surgery and physical therapy, the suit states.

Mascorro alleges pain, suffering and anguish. She seeks between $200,000 and $1 million in damages for medical bills, diminished earning capacity, court costs, witness fees and attorney fees. She is represented by attorneys Brandon Barchus and Nathaniel Alford III of Faulk Barchus in Houston.

Galveston County District Court case number: GC 15CV0038