HOUSTON — A woman is alleging a building owner's and elevator company's negligence after being struck by an elevator door that suddenly closed.
Gloria Cisneros filed a complaint June 13 in Harris County District Court against Oxley Leasing LLC & Tejas Elevator Company Inc., alleging negligence.
According to her complaint, Cisneros, a 76-year old, was at the office building owned by Oxley located on Southwest Freeway in Houston on Jan. 27, 2022. She alleges that as she waited for the elevator inside the building, the doors opened and then "shut rapidly" which caused her to fall backwards.
Cisneros alleges Oxley's negligence for failing to maintain its premises and in proper repair and for failing to take measures to prevent the dangerous condition. She also alleges Oxley did not test the elevator to insure it was working properly and failed to warn or post signs the elevator was being repaired and created a hazard.
Cisneros claims Tejas Elevator's negligence for failing to have devices to warn of impending elevator door closings or have safeguards and interlock devices for the operation of the doors. She further claims Tejas Elevator failed to hire competent repair personnel, inspect the elevator or recommend repair or replacement. Cisneros alleges Tejas Elevator was also negligent for violating city and state regulations regarding elevator safety.
Cisneros seeks monetary relief of more than $1 million, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. She is represented by Eric Kirkpatrick of The Kirkpatrick Law Office PC in Houston.
Harris County District Court case number 2022-35221