A Harris County resident has filed a lawsuit seeking up to $1 million in damages after being attacked by a pit bull. Nureka Chapman Henderson lodged the complaint against Patricia Ann Pradia in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, on August 7, 2024.
According to the court documents, the incident occurred on October 27, 2022, when Henderson was a guest at Pradia's residence. During this visit, Henderson was attacked by Pradia's pit bull, resulting in severe injuries. The plaintiff alleges that Pradia knew about her dog's aggressive tendencies and failed to take necessary precautions to prevent the attack. "Defendant’s dog was an 'abnormally dangerous animal' as a matter of law," states the petition. The plaintiff further claims that Pradia had actual knowledge of her dog's aggressive behavior and thus had reason to know of its dangerous propensities.
Henderson accuses Pradia of negligence and negligent handling of her pet. The complaint lists several ways in which Pradia allegedly breached her duty of care: failing to keep the dog confined to a secure space, failing to restrain the dog from attacking Henderson, failing to take actions to prevent the attack, and generally not acting like a reasonably prudent dog owner. As a result of these alleged failures, Henderson suffered severe and permanent injuries.
The plaintiff is seeking various forms of relief from the court. These include reasonable medical care expenses incurred both in the past and anticipated in the future, compensation for physical pain and suffering experienced both previously and expected going forward, damages for past and future physical impairment, mental anguish suffered so far and likely to be endured in the future, as well as compensation for physical disfigurement already sustained and potentially occurring later.
Henderson is demanding a jury trial for this case. She seeks actual and statutory damages along with pre-judgment interest at the highest legal rate, taxable court costs including reasonable attorney’s fees, post-judgment interest at the highest legal rate, and any other relief deemed just by law or equity.
Representing Nureka Chapman Henderson is Karl Schneider from Bain & Barkley law firm. The case has been assigned Case ID 2024-50429 and will be presided over by Judge Christopher Matthews in Court 295.