A Downers Grove, Illinois resident has filed a lawsuit against the City of Houston, the Houston Airport System, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport for injuries sustained due to alleged negligence. Roger Blair filed the complaint in Harris County District Court on August 7, 2024, seeking damages exceeding $1 million.
According to the complaint, on October 28, 2023, Roger Blair was walking through Terminal C at George Bush Intercontinental Airport when he tripped over a cord that had been left in a walkway. The fall resulted in serious injuries to Blair's face and head. Blair alleges that the defendants were aware of this hazardous condition but failed to provide adequate warnings or take measures to rectify it. "The Defendants had actual knowledge of the dangerous condition," states the complaint, emphasizing that their failure to act constituted gross negligence.
Blair's legal team argues that the incident falls under premises liability as outlined by the Texas Tort Claims Act. The lawsuit claims that since the area where Blair fell is owned and controlled by governmental entities, these entities have a duty to maintain safe conditions for visitors. "The Defendants did not exercise reasonable care to reduce or eliminate this risk," reads another part of the filing. The plaintiff contends that this negligence extends beyond simple oversight and into gross negligence territory because it involved a known hazard.
In addition to premises liability claims, Blair's lawsuit includes accusations of general negligence and misuse of tangible personal property. The complaint details how airport officials allegedly created a dangerous environment by placing an unmarked cord in a public walkway and failing to warn or protect visitors from this hazard. The document also mentions that any claim of sovereign immunity should not apply here due to legislative consent for suits involving municipal corporations under such circumstances.
Blair is seeking compensatory damages for medical expenses, lost wages, physical impairment, mental anguish, and disfigurement among other losses. He argues that these damages are both past and future in nature given his ongoing suffering and diminished capacity resulting from the incident. Specifically, he seeks monetary relief exceeding $1 million as per Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
Representing Roger Blair is Adam J. Rosenfeld from Schechter Shaffer & Harris LLP. The case has been assigned Case ID 2024-00665 and will be heard in Harris County District Court by Judge Jarod Stirrup.