A Texas resident has filed a lawsuit against multiple corporations, alleging negligence and premises liability that resulted in severe injuries. Damon Hines lodged the complaint in Harris County District Court on August 23, 2024, targeting Landmark Industries Energy LLC, Landmark Industries LLC, ExxonMobil Oil Corporation, ExxonMobil Risk Management Inc., and Texas Petroleum Group LLC.
According to the court filing, Hines was a customer at a Timewise store located at 15931 John F Kennedy Blvd., Houston, TX on August 25, 2022. While exiting the bathroom, he slipped and fell on a liquid substance present on the floor. A manager later informed him that they were aware of the liquid but had not yet placed warning signs or cleaned it up. Hines alleges that this negligence led to his severe injuries. The plaintiff claims that all defendants were operating under the trade name "Timewise" and are collectively responsible for maintaining safe premises.
The lawsuit accuses the defendants of failing to maintain their property in a safe condition and neglecting to warn customers about hazardous conditions. Hines asserts that the defendants breached their duty of care by not addressing or eliminating the dangerous condition despite being aware of it. The complaint further argues that the defendants' employees acted negligently within their scope of employment, making the companies liable under the doctrine of respondeat superior.
Hines is seeking monetary relief exceeding $250,000 but not more than $1,000,000 for medical expenses incurred and expected future costs related to his injuries. He also seeks compensation for physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of earnings and earning capacity, physical impairment, and disfigurement. Additionally, Hines requests exemplary damages due to what he describes as gross negligence by the defendants.
Representing Damon Hines are attorneys David K. Mestemaker, Norman Straub, and Jonathan B. Zumwalt from Mestemaker Straub & Zumwalt law firm. The case has been assigned Case ID 2024-56405 in Harris County District Court under Judge Marilyn Burgess.