A Fort Bend County resident has filed a lawsuit against a local plumbing company, alleging negligence that led to significant property damage. Patsy Ward filed the complaint in Harris County District Court on May 31, 2024, accusing Texas Quality Plumbing, LLC of causing a fire due to improper service on her pipes.
According to the petition, the incident occurred on July 13, 2021, when Ward contacted Texas Quality Plumbing for pipe repair services. An employee of the company allegedly caused damage to the plumbing system, which resulted in an electrical shortage and subsequent fire. Ward claims that she did nothing to contribute to the incident and asserts that it was entirely due to the negligence of Texas Quality Plumbing and its employee. The plaintiff argues that the company's failure to properly screen, train, and supervise its employees directly led to her damages.
The lawsuit details multiple allegations against Texas Quality Plumbing under various legal theories including respondeat superior and negligent entrustment. "At all times material hereto," states the petition, "all agents, servants, and/or employees of Defendant TEXAS QUALITY PLUMBING, LLC were acting within the course and scope of employment." This implies that the company is responsible for any negligent acts committed by its employees during their work duties.
Ward further accuses Texas Quality Plumbing of failing in several key areas: screening and testing plumbers adequately; employing unqualified individuals; neglecting proper training protocols; and negligently entrusting business operations to incompetent or unlicensed plumbers. These failures are claimed to have created an unreasonable risk of danger leading directly to her property damage.
The plaintiff is seeking various forms of relief from the court. She requests compensation for lost wages incurred due to the incident, property damage costs, as well as past, present, and future mental anguish resulting from the ordeal. Additionally, she seeks interest on any judgment awarded at the legal rate from the date it is entered until paid in full. The total amount sought is less than $250,000 excluding interest, statutory or punitive damages and penalties, attorney’s fees and costs.
Representing Patsy Ward are attorneys Richard J. Presutti (SBN: 24004196), Meredith M. Smith (SBN: 24094127), and Anthony T. Presutti (SBN: 24109078) from The Office of Richard J. Presutti P.C., located at 525 North Sam Houston Pkwy E., Suite 600 in Houston. The case has been assigned Case ID 2024-34416 in Harris County District Court with Judge Monica Jackson presiding.