A Harris County resident has taken legal action against a popular restaurant chain following an injury she sustained on their premises. On July 18, 2024, Breonna Thomas filed a complaint in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, against Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., and Chipotle Mexican Grill of Colorado, Inc.
The incident in question occurred on September 3, 2022, when Thomas visited a Chipotle restaurant located at E. Sam Houston Parkway N. in Houston, Texas. According to the court filing, Thomas slipped and fell on a liquid substance that had not been properly cleaned up or marked with any warning signs. As a result of this fall, Thomas claims to have suffered significant personal injuries. The plaintiff asserts that as an invitee on the premises—meaning she was there for business purposes with the knowledge and for the benefit of the defendants—the restaurant owed her a duty to maintain a safe environment.
Thomas’s petition outlines several accusations against Chipotle. She alleges that the defendants failed to inspect and maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition and did not provide adequate warnings about potential hazards. Specifically, she claims that Chipotle either caused the dangerous condition or knew about it but failed to address it adequately. The lawsuit states: "Defendants breached their duty of care by both failing to make the condition on the premises reasonably safe and failing to adequately warn Plaintiff and others of the condition." Furthermore, Thomas contends that this negligence directly resulted in her injuries.
The plaintiff is seeking monetary relief for various damages including past and future medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, emotional distress (mental anguish), and lost wages. She estimates these damages to be over $250,000 but not more than $1,000,000. In addition to compensatory damages, Thomas requests that the court award costs of court proceedings as well as pre-judgment and post-judgment interest at the legal rate.
Representing Breonna Thomas is attorney Gilbert Garza from Adley Law Firm Ltd., while details regarding defense attorneys are currently unavailable. The case has been assigned Case ID 2024-45137 and will be heard by Judge Chandra Lawson in the 129th Judicial District Court.