A devastating incident at a Houston taqueria has led to a $1 million lawsuit against two corporations accused of negligence. Ana Cardenas, the plaintiff, filed her complaint on November 14, 2024, in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, targeting Gulshan Enterprises, Inc. and M R S Enterprises, Inc. The lawsuit stems from an accident that occurred while Cardenas was working at Taqueria Latino when a vehicle crashed into the storefront.
The case unfolds with Ana Cardenas detailing her experience on February 3, 2023, at Taqueria Latino located on Fondren Road in Houston. Owned and operated by Gulshan Enterprises and/or M R S Enterprises, the establishment allegedly failed to ensure employee safety by not installing protective bollards to prevent vehicles from breaching the storefront. During her shift, a car did just that, resulting in extremely hot water spilling onto Cardenas and causing severe burns over much of her body. According to the petition filed by Cardenas' attorney Richard "Trey" Barton III of the Law Office of Richard L. Barton III PLLC, the defendants were aware or should have been aware of this hazard but neglected to address it or warn employees adequately.
The complaint accuses both companies of negligence for failing to maintain safe premises and provide adequate warnings about potential dangers. Specific allegations include not installing necessary safety features like bollards and neglecting to ensure workplace safety standards were met. Furthermore, as non-subscribers to the Texas Worker’s Compensation Act, Gulshan Enterprises and M R S Enterprises are barred from using common law defenses against negligence claims brought by employees like Cardenas.
Cardenas seeks compensation for past and future physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, disfigurement, medical expenses incurred due to injuries sustained in the incident, lost wages during recovery periods as well as future loss of earning capacity. Additionally, she demands exemplary damages alongside pre-judgment and post-judgment interest costs. The petition emphasizes that all conditions precedent necessary for filing this suit have been satisfied.
This legal battle will unfold under Judge Talitha McCarty's oversight in Harris County's 165th District Court (Case ID: 2024-80422). Representing Ana Cardenas is attorney Richard "Trey" Barton III from his Houston-based firm.