La Morenita Meat Market settles slip & fall for $25K

La Morenita Meat Market recently settled a slip and fall lawsuit for $25,000.

In October 2010, the Southeast Texas Record reported that Maria Moreno, on behalf of her minor boy, filed suit against the Port Arthur meat market, alleging the boy slipped in a puddle of water while at the store.

Court records show that a final judgment was entered in the case on Nov. 15, stating that the parties agreed to settle the case for $25,000.

On April 25 a docket control plan order was filed in the case, placing the case on the December trial docket if the parties fail to mediate the matter on or before Nov. 14, court records show.

The judgment also awards plaintiff's attorney Tom Oxford of Waldman Smallwood in Beaumont $6,943.31 in fees � an amount deducted from the total settlement.

In her lawsuit, Moreno claims she and her minor son, Bryan Moreno, were shopping at defendant La Morenita Meat Market on July 22, 2009, when he fell.

The suit alleged La Morenita Meat Market negligently breached its duty of ordinary care by eliminating a risk it knew to be potentially hazardous.

"There was water leaking from the food preparation area into the customer area and Plaintiff, Bryan Moreno, slipped and fell on the floor resulting in the injuries and damages complained of herein," the suit states.

Houston attorney James Davis of Ellington & Associates represented the La Morenita Meat Market.

Judge Bob Wortham, 58th District Court, presided over the case.

Case No. A188-568