In a compelling legal battle that underscores the importance of premises safety, a Texas resident has taken legal action against a major retail corporation following an alleged injury on their property. Irum Khan filed a complaint in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, on October 4, 2024, accusing Costco Wholesale Corporation of negligence after she suffered injuries from a fall at one of their locations.
The lawsuit stems from an incident that occurred on October 15, 2022, when Khan visited the Costco store located at 17520 Southwest Freeway in Sugar Land, Texas. According to the complaint, Khan was an invitee on the premises for the purpose of returning an item when she slipped and fell due to a substance on the floor near the customer service desk. The fall resulted in serious injuries for Khan, which she attributes to Costco's failure to maintain safe conditions and provide adequate warnings about potential hazards. "There were no warning signs or cones to provide a warning," states the petition, highlighting what Khan perceives as a lack of due diligence by Costco in ensuring customer safety.
Khan's lawsuit accuses Costco of several acts of negligence. She claims that Costco failed to properly inspect and maintain the flooring area, neglected to warn her about the unsafe condition, and did not remedy the dangerous situation despite being aware or reasonably expected to be aware of it. The plaintiff argues that these failures constitute breaches of ordinary care owed by Costco to its customers. Furthermore, Khan alleges that her injuries were directly caused by this negligence and is seeking compensation for medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages exceeding $1 million.
In addition to compensatory damages, Khan is pursuing exemplary damages based on what she describes as gross negligence by Costco. She asserts that the corporation's actions demonstrated "conscious indifference" and "reckless disregard" for customer safety. This claim aims to hold Costco accountable not only for her specific injuries but also as a punitive measure intended to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Represented by attorneys Kevin Christiansen and Breanne Galvan from Galvan Law Firm PLLC in Sugar Land, Texas, Khan is demanding a jury trial for her case (Case ID: 2024-68797) presided over by Judge Adiliani Solis in Harris County’s 55th Judicial District Court. As this case unfolds, it could set significant precedents regarding corporate responsibility and customer safety standards within large retail environments.