GALVESTON - Debra G. Gower of Marion, Ill., claims she injured her shoulder at a La Marque McDonald's two years ago.
Gower filed suit Oct. 21 against Golden Arch Ltd., McDonald's Corp. and Robert Flores in Galveston County District Court.
The plaintiff claims a greasy substance caused her to fall. According to the suit, Gower went to the McDonald's restaurant on the morning of Oct. 22, 2009, to eat with friends.
According to the original petition, she attempted to enter the McDonald's eatery through the main entrance on the east side of the building when the incident in question occurred.
"Immediately upon entering the building, the plaintiff lost her footing and fell on the floor," the suit states.
Gower alleges she lost her footing "because the tiled entrance to the restaurant was extremely wet and covered with a greasy substance."
"As a result of falling on the wet and greasy tile surface, the plaintiff suffered multiple injuries to her shoulder, including, but not limited to dislocation of her shoulder, tearing her rotator cuff and/or torn tendons in her shoulder," the suit says.
The respondents are faulted for failing to properly inspect and maintain the entrance area of the restaurant, failing to maintain the entrance in a reasonably safe condition, failing to give adequate warning to the plaintiff, failing to remove the dangerous and slippery substances, failing to adequately supervise their employees or trainees, and failing to install non-slip surfaces.
The plaintiff consequently seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.
Attorney L. Jeth Jones of Houston is representing the plaintiff, and Galveston County 405th District Court Judge Wayne Mallia is presiding over the case.
Case No. 11-cv-1664