A Harris County resident has filed a lawsuit against a major fast-food chain, alleging negligence that led to significant personal injuries. Javier Ayala lodged the complaint in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, on August 28, 2024, targeting McDonald's Restaurants of Texas, Inc., doing business as McDonald's #5333.
According to the filing, Ayala entered the McDonald's located at 6950 Woodridge Drive in Houston on September 3, 2022. The plaintiff asserts that he was a business invitee at the time and had an expectation of safety while on the premises. However, Ayala claims he tripped and fell due to an improperly marked sidewalk entrance ramp. The incident allegedly resulted in severe injuries for which Ayala holds McDonald's responsible.
The plaintiff accuses McDonald's of multiple acts of negligence. These include failing to maintain a safe environment for customers, not correcting hazardous conditions like the unmarked ramp, and neglecting to warn patrons about potential dangers. "In failing to maintain the premises in question in a reasonably safe condition and free of hazards," reads one part of the complaint. Furthermore, Ayala argues that McDonald's did not properly inspect their premises or train their employees adequately to ensure customer safety.
Ayala's lawsuit seeks monetary relief exceeding $1 million for various damages resulting from his fall. These damages encompass past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering (both past and future), mental anguish, disfigurement, disability, impairment, and loss of household services. The plaintiff also reserves the right to use any documents produced by McDonald's during pretrial proceedings or at trial under Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 193.7.
Represented by attorney Jorge L. Gomez from Gomez Law Firm based in Houston, Ayala demands a jury trial for this case. The case has been assigned Case ID 2024-57451 and will be heard in the 151st Judicial District Court under Judge Patricia Jones.