Gas station sued for $250,000 after woman slips and falls

SHERMAN - Asking for $250,000, a Dallas woman has filed a lawsuit against a gas station claiming she slipped and fell due to water in the area designed for pedestrian traffic.

Carolyn Griffen filed suit against Racetrac Petroleum Inc. on Aug. 31 in Dallas County Court. The defendant removed the case to the Northern District of Texas, but the case was transferred to the Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division on Oct. 9.

The incident occurred on Oct. 11, 2011, as Griffen was walking on defendant’s premises in an area designed for pedestrian traffic. She states she slipped and fell due to water, which was not apparent to her.

The defendant is accused of negligence for allowing a premises defect to remain in the area causing Griffen to slip and fall, for failing to remove or repair the premises defect from the area, for failing to close the area to invitees, and for failing to warn Griffen that the premises defect was in the area.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for medical expenses, physical pain, mental anguish, lost earnings, physical impairment, interest, and court costs.

Griffen is represented by Charles E. Waterbury of Waterbury Law P.C. in Dallas.

U.S. District Judge Ron Clark is assigned to the case.

Case No. 4:12-cv-00656