HOUSTON - A Houston woman has pursued legal action against Wal-Mart Stores Texas LLC following an alleged slip-and-fall last year at one of its Fort Bend County stores.
Belinda Hart sued the discount retailer in Harris County District Court in late August.
The lawsuit was removed to the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas on Oct. 11.
Hart was attempting to check out at the business in Stafford prior to the event in question when she stepped out of line to go to the restroom.
After having a friend secure her spot in the lane, court documents say, the plaintiff headed toward the women's facilities and "slipped and fell in a puddle of a dangerous substance leaking from a soft drink machine/fridge."
The suit claims said puddle was there for a long time since a worker stocking the fridge "previously fell in the same dangerous substance," adding the worker failed to warn.
Wal-Mart is additionally faulted for:
- Failing to maintain the common area in a reasonably safe condition;
- Failing to inspect the premises where the dangerous condition existed; and
- Failing to correct the condition by taking reasonable measure to safeguard persons who entered the premises.
A jury trial is requested.
Attorney Roger A. Sullivan of Smith & Hassler in Houston is representing the claimant.
Case No. 4:13-CV-3007