In a dramatic turn of events, a Houston resident has taken legal action against a major grocery chain following an alleged incident that left her with serious injuries. Devena Flores filed a complaint on October 17, 2024, in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, accusing The Kroger Co. of negligence after she suffered injuries due to a slip and fall at one of their stores.
The lawsuit details that on November 11, 2024, Flores visited the Kroger store located at 12434 N. Freeway in Houston, Texas. While there for mutual benefit with the store, she unexpectedly slipped on spilled blue Gatorade between two cashier stands. This sudden accident resulted in severe pain and injuries for Flores. She claims that Kroger's employees were negligent as they failed to maintain safe premises by not cleaning up the spill or warning customers about it. According to the petition, "Defendant's wrongful, carelessness, and unskillful conduct resulted in the injury of Plaintiff." The suit further alleges that Kroger had prior knowledge or should have been aware of such hazardous conditions but failed to act accordingly.
Flores accuses The Kroger Co. of premise liability and gross negligence. She argues that as a business invitee on their property, Kroger owed her a duty of care which they breached by not ensuring the premises were safe from dangerous conditions like spilled substances. The petition states that "the condition of the liquid substance on the ground constituted a dangerous condition that posed an unreasonable risk of harm." Furthermore, it highlights Kroger's nationwide policy failures regarding spills and safety measures as contributing factors to her accident.
Flores is seeking compensatory damages for medical expenses incurred due to her injuries and anticipates future medical costs as well. Additionally, she seeks compensation for physical pain and suffering both past and future, mental anguish, physical impairment, loss of earnings capacity, loss of household services, disfigurement, exemplary damages for gross negligence, court costs, and pre-judgment and post-judgment interest.
Representing Devena Flores is Richard Ryder-Haag from Attorney Brian White & Associates P.C., based in Houston. The case is being presided over by Judge Nelson Cuero under Case ID 2024-72445 in Harris County's 127th District Court.