Suit says bank knew of water puddle, but failed to warn customers

GALVESTON - After slipping on a puddle of water at a La Marque bank almost two years ago, a Galveston County woman seeks damages for negligence.

Helen Savoie's personal injury lawsuit against Coastal Community Federal Credit Union alleges one of the bank's employees knew of the water, but did nothing to remove it.

"The defendants in exercise of ordinary care knew that the water created an unreasonably dangerous condition, and thus had actual and/or constructive notice of the unreasonably dangerous condition," the original petition says.

The suit was filed Sept. 8 in Galveston County District Court.
Court papers show Savoie was on the defendant's property on Sept. 12, 2007, when she stepped on some water, lost her balance and injured herself.

"The water created an unreasonably dangerous condition," the suit says.

The suit alleges that a teller who returned to the premises after the incident admitted to Savoie that they were aware of the puddle all along.

Savoie insists she knew nothing about the water.

"The plaintiff did not have any knowledge of the dangerous condition and could not have reasonably been expected to discover it," the suit says.

"The defendants' failure to correct the condition or to warn the plaintiff constituted negligence, and such negligence was a proximate cause of the occurrence in question and the plaintiff's resulting injuries."

Coastal Community Federal Credit Union is ultimately blamed for failing to properly supervise its employees.

Its branch manager for La Marque was also named a defendant.

Savoie, who is represented by League City attorney Jonathan C. Kieschnick, intends to recover compensation for pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, impairment, and medical treatment.

She also demands a jury trial.

Galveston County 212th District Court Judge Susan Criss is presiding over the case.

Case No. 09CV1618