A Harris County resident has filed a lawsuit against multiple entities following a harrowing elevator incident. Sofia Sota lodged the complaint on August 28, 2024, in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, targeting Otis Elevator Company and several associated defendants.
The case stems from an incident on August 8, 2024, at City Place Montrose, an apartment complex where Sota resided. According to the complaint, Sota was trapped inside an elevator that malfunctioned and eventually plummeted from the third floor to the first floor. The lawsuit alleges that Otis Elevator Company designed, manufactured, and maintained the faulty elevator. It also implicates McGowen Brazos Venture Ltd., McGowen Brazos GP Inc., JPSOGMVGP LLC, 306 McGowen Ventures Ltd., and Jonathan Farb for owning and managing the property where the incident occurred.
Sota's petition accuses Otis Elevator Company of multiple counts of negligence including failing to properly design, manufacture, inspect, maintain, and repair the elevator. "Each and all of these acts or omissions constitute negligence as defined by law," states the complaint. The plaintiff claims these failures directly led to her serious and permanent injuries.
The other defendants are accused of premises liability and negligence for not providing a safe environment for tenants. The complaint asserts they failed in their duty to inspect equipment regularly, train staff adequately, provide emergency measures, and warn residents about potential dangers. "Defendants breached their duty by failing to make the unreasonably dangerous condition reasonably safe," reads one part of the filing.
Sota is seeking damages exceeding $1 million for physical pain, mental anguish, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, disfigurement, physical impairment, and medical expenses. She also requests pre-judgment interest on any awarded damages from the date of the accident until judgment is rendered.
Representing Sofia Sota are attorneys Michael Callahan and Casey Brown from The Callahan Law Firm. The case has been assigned Case ID 2024-57350 in Harris County's 133rd Judicial District Court.