A Houston resident has filed a lawsuit against a New York-based corporation for negligence after suffering severe injuries due to a stair collapse. Ann Bell lodged the complaint in Harris County District Court on August 16, 2024, accusing Plaza at Hobby Owner, LP of failing to maintain safe premises.
The incident occurred on March 18, 2024, when Bell was using the stairs at The Plaza of Hobby Airport in Houston. According to the petition, the breezeway stairs collapsed suddenly due to serious corrosion of the metal brackets supporting them. This unexpected failure caused Bell to suffer "excruciating pain and serious injuries." The plaintiff claims that agents and employees of Plaza at Hobby Owner, LP were in close proximity to the stairs for an extended period and either knew or should have known about the corrosion. Furthermore, Bell had previously complained about the condition of the stairs to management.
Bell's lawsuit outlines several accusations against Plaza at Hobby Owner, LP. She alleges that the company failed in numerous ways: not instituting precautionary measures, neglecting timely repairs and inspections, ignoring safety protocols, and inadequately training their staff. Specifically, she accuses them of violating local ordinances and state laws by not maintaining exit access free from obstructions as required by § 1027.2 of the 2003 International Fire Code.
In addition to negligence and negligence per se, Bell is also suing for premise liability and gross negligence. She asserts that Plaza at Hobby Owner, LP's actions—or lack thereof—constituted gross negligence because they involved an extreme degree of risk that was consciously disregarded by the defendant.
Bell seeks various forms of relief from the court including compensation for past and future medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, loss of earnings capacity, disfigurement, exemplary damages, costs of court proceedings as well as pre-judgment and post-judgment interest.
Representing Ann Bell is Ryan Steinhart from Attorney Brian White & Associates P.C., while no attorneys are listed yet for Plaza at Hobby Owner LP. The case has been assigned Case ID 2024-54016 in Harris County’s 125th Judicial District Court with Judge Rhonda Momon presiding.