A harrowing incident at a Houston hotel has led to a lawsuit filed by Renee Rodriguez against OM Hospitality Inc., Marriott International, Inc., Aimbridge Hospitality, LLC, Aimbridge Hospitality Holdings, LLC, and Schindler Enterprises, Inc. The complaint was lodged in the District Court of Harris County on August 14, 2024.
The lawsuit stems from an incident on August 27, 2022, when Rodriguez was a guest at the Four Points by Sheraton Houston Energy Corridor. According to the court documents, while using the hotel's elevator designed and installed by Schindler Enterprises, Inc., the elevator suddenly plummeted three stories. Rodriguez claims that not only did her elevator fall but so did another adjacent one. This traumatic event allegedly resulted in extensive and permanent injuries for which she is still receiving treatment.
Rodriguez asserts that as an invitee on the property owned by OM Hospitality Inc., Marriott International, and managed by Aimbridge Hospitality entities, she was owed a duty of care to be protected from unreasonably dangerous conditions. She accuses these entities of negligence under premises liability law for failing to maintain safe premises and not warning her about potential dangers. Specifically, she points out their failure to inspect and maintain the elevators properly as required under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 754 and Texas Administrative Code §74.100.
The plaintiff also brings forth claims of product liability against Schindler Enterprises for defects in the elevator's design or installation that contributed to her injuries. She alleges that there were safer alternative designs available that could have prevented her injuries without impairing the elevator's utility.
Rodriguez seeks damages exceeding $1 million for medical expenses (past and future), physical pain (past and future), mental anguish (past and future), lost wages and earning capacity (past and future), physical impairment (past and future), disfigurement (past and future), along with exemplary damages for gross negligence. She argues that defendants' actions were more than mere thoughtlessness but showed a conscious indifference to her safety.
Representing Rodriguez are attorneys Taylor W. Harper and Thomas N. Cammack III from Harper Law Firm in San Antonio. The case has been assigned Case ID 2024-93087 in the 55th Judicial District Court of Harris County.