HOUSTON — A man who suffered a brain hematoma and other injuries after slipping at a gas station in Houston is claiming negligence.
Wadih El Hajj and Monica Vaca filed a complaint July 2 in Harris County District Court against Shadowbriar Property LLC doing business as Save A Step alleging negligence and other claims.
According to the plaintiffs' complaint, they were at the defendants' gas station in Houston on Feb. 15, 2021. They allege that as Wadih El Hajj exited the vehicle to pump gas, the screen directed him to see the teller inside the convenience store. The plaintiffs claim that as Hajj returned to the vehicle, he stepped on one of the steel caps and fell backward on his shoulder and head.
They further claim that Hajj had a bump on his head and that following the incident, he began to experience bad headaches and trouble with his balance and coordination and was diagnosed with a brain hematoma which required surgeries.
The plaintiffs allege that the defendants failed to keep their premises in a reasonably safe condition and that they should have known the unmarked metal caps posed a risk. They claim the defendants also failed to warn of the hazard or seal off the areas around the caps which were slippery and unsafe. The plaintiffs allege in their suit that Hajj has also suffered loss of earnings, disfigurement and incurred medical expenses.
The plaintiffs seek monetary relief between $250,000 and $1 million, interest and all other just relief. They are represented by Jill Yaziji of the Yaziji Law Firm PLLC in Houston.
Harris County District Court case number 2022-39959