In a significant legal filing, a former employee has accused a major e-commerce company of negligence resulting in multiple workplace injuries. Mercedes Deloney filed a complaint against Amazon.com Services, LLC in the District Court of Harris County, Texas on November 14, 2024. The lawsuit highlights serious allegations concerning unsafe working conditions and inadequate training.
Mercedes Deloney, a resident of Humble, Texas, has taken legal action against her former employer, Amazon.com Services, LLC. The complaint stems from incidents that occurred while she was employed at an Amazon warehouse located at 10550 Ella Blvd in Houston. Deloney alleges that on three separate occasions—November 17, 2022; March 16, 2024; and March 22, 2024—she sustained severe injuries due to the company's negligence. On November 17, 2022, Deloney claims she was struck by a cart part while performing her duties, leading to significant knee injuries. Further incidents in March involved tasks outside her job description that resulted in leg and arm injuries. "The defendant failed to provide a safe workplace," states the petition.
Deloney's lawsuit accuses Amazon of failing to comply with Occupational Safety and Health Act regulations by not providing necessary training or adequate equipment for employees. She asserts that these failures amount to negligence per se under Texas law. Additionally, as Amazon did not subscribe to Texas Workers' Compensation insurance at the time of these incidents, they are subject to specific liabilities under Texas Labor Code §406.033. This code prohibits certain common-law defenses typically available to employers in injury cases.
The plaintiff seeks monetary relief exceeding $250,000 for damages including medical expenses, lost earnings capacity, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, and disfigurement. Furthermore, Deloney demands a jury trial and requests pre-judgment and post-judgment interest along with all arbitration costs be covered by the defendant.
Representing Mercedes Deloney is Hector L. Sandoval from Sandoval Law Firm PLLC based in Houston. The case is presided over by Judge Gerardo Perez under Case ID: 2024-80315 in the 234th Judicial District Court of Harris County.