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SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Customer Alleges Negligence Against Grocery Chain H-E-B Following Slip-and-Fall Incident

State Court
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Angelica Schaeffer has taken legal action against a major Texas-based grocery chain, accusing the company of negligence that led to her personal injury. The complaint was filed by Schaeffer on October 31, 2024, in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, naming H-E-B, LP as the defendant.

The case stems from an incident on May 13, 2023, when Schaeffer visited an H-E-B store located at Kingwood Drive in Kingwood, Texas. During her visit to purchase supplies for Mother's Day, she slipped and fell due to a slippery substance on the floor near the baby food and cosmetics aisles. According to Schaeffer's petition, there were no warning signs about the hazardous condition of the floor, nor did any employees warn her of the danger. As a result of this fall, Schaeffer sustained serious bodily injuries.

Schaeffer's lawsuit accuses H-E-B of failing to maintain safe premises for its customers. She claims that the store's employees either knew or should have known about the dangerous condition but failed to take reasonable steps to rectify it or warn patrons like herself. The petition highlights that H-E-B's state-wide policy neglects adequate measures such as clean flooring and proper warning signs to prevent such incidents. It further alleges that despite being aware of previous similar incidents resulting in serious injuries across their stores annually, H-E-B has not implemented necessary training for its staff or made changes to safeguard customers.

The legal filing outlines two primary causes of action: premise liability and gross negligence. Under premise liability, Schaeffer argues that as a business invitee at H-E-B’s property, she was owed a duty of care which was breached by allowing a dangerous condition to exist without adequate warning or remediation. The gross negligence claim asserts that H-E-B acted with conscious indifference towards customer safety despite knowing the risks involved.

In terms of relief sought from the court, Schaeffer is asking for monetary compensation exceeding $1 million for medical expenses incurred and anticipated future costs related to her injuries. She also seeks damages for physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of earnings and earning capacity, disfigurement, loss of household services, exemplary damages (punitive), court costs, and pre-judgment and post-judgment interest.

Representing Angelica Schaeffer is Richard Ryder Haag from White & Associates P.C., based in Houston. The case is filed under Case ID 2024-76063 in Harris County's 189th District Court.

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