A shocking incident at a learning center has led to a lawsuit alleging severe negligence. Jasmine Simon, on behalf of her minor child M.P., filed a complaint against Education Tree LLC, doing business as The Learning Tree, and Joanne Yu in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, on October 1, 2024. The lawsuit accuses the defendants of failing to ensure the safety of their premises, resulting in serious injury to M.P.
According to the court documents, Jasmine Simon's complaint centers around an incident that occurred on August 19, 2024. On this day, M.P., who was attending a class at The Learning Tree—a Houston-based learning center for preschool-aged children with Autism Spectrum Disorder—suffered a severe burn when boiling liquid poured onto his left arm. The burn was so severe that it resulted in permanent disfigurement for the three-year-old child. Simon claims that this tragic event was directly caused by the negligence of both Education Tree LLC and its owner Joanne Yu.
The plaintiff alleges that the defendants failed in their duty to provide a safe environment for children attending classes at their facility. The lawsuit outlines several accusations against the defendants: they placed M.P. in a dangerous situation without acting reasonably to prevent harm; they neglected to use reasonable care in providing services; they disregarded M.P.'s safety; and they failed to properly hire, manage, train, or supervise competent employees. Furthermore, it is alleged that they did not develop or enforce adequate safety policies and procedures.
Simon’s petition also highlights premises liability issues. As an invitee on the premises during his class attendance, minor M.P. was owed a duty of ordinary care by the defendants—care which Simon argues was breached when they failed to remove or warn about hazardous conditions like the boiling liquid that caused M.P.'s injuries. The complaint asserts that these failures were negligent acts contributing directly to M.P.'s injury.
The legal action seeks monetary relief exceeding $1 million for damages including past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, attorney’s fees and expenses, and exemplary damages due to what is described as gross negligence by the defendants. In addition to monetary compensation, Simon demands a jury trial to adjudicate these claims.
Representing Jasmine Simon are attorneys from Sneed|Mitchell LLP: Emily Faber Vechan (State Bar No. 24087488), Bri Mitchell (State Bar No. 24098907), and Miles Sneed (State Bar No. 24105043). They are advocating for justice on behalf of minor M.P., seeking accountability from Education Tree LLC and Joanne Yu under Case ID 2024-67858 before Judge Talitha McCarty in Harris County's 295th Judicial District Court.