Samantha Valenzuela has filed a lawsuit seeking over $1 million in damages against several entertainment companies and individuals following an alleged assault at a Houston bar. The complaint was filed on November 8, 2024, in Harris County District Court, naming Bottom Line Productions, Inc., Com Media Group, Inc., Daizzo Group, Inc., Heist Agency LLC, Off the Record Entertainment LLC, and several unidentified individuals as defendants.
According to the court documents, Valenzuela visited Off the Record bar in Houston on May 17, 2024. She reported an altercation with other patrons that led to her being violently attacked by an unknown assailant referred to as John Doe 1. The assailant allegedly body-slammed Valenzuela to the ground, causing her to lose consciousness for approximately five minutes. Despite staff presence during the incident, no one intervened or attempted to detain the attacker.
Valenzuela's petition accuses the defendants of battery and assault under Texas law. It claims that the assailant intentionally caused harm by engaging in aggressive physical contact resulting in severe injuries. Additionally, Valenzuela alleges violations of the Dram Shop Act by the bar's management and staff for serving alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons who posed a danger to themselves and others.
The lawsuit further contends that the bar failed to provide adequate security measures and did not take reasonable steps to prevent such violent incidents from occurring. Valenzuela argues that there was a foreseeable risk of harm due to prior similar incidents at the establishment. The complaint also highlights negligence in hiring and training employees capable of maintaining order and safety within the premises.
Valenzuela seeks compensatory damages for past and future physical pain, mental anguish, medical expenses, lost wages, impairment, disfigurement, and loss of earning capacity. She also requests exemplary damages for gross negligence attributed to both individual employees and corporate entities involved.
Representing Samantha Valenzuela are attorneys Michael A. Rodriguez and Tej R. Paranjpe from Paranjpe Mahadass Ruemke LLP. The case is assigned Case ID 2024-79340 in Harris County District Court under Judge Marilyn Burgess.