A harrowing incident involving a fire at an apartment complex has led to a lawsuit filed by a resident who suffered injuries during the chaos. On December 12, 2024, Jose Adin Reyes Cruz filed a complaint in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, against Ashford Santa Cruz, LLC and HK Capital Management, LP. The plaintiff alleges negligence and premises liability on the part of the defendants.
The case revolves around an unfortunate event that occurred on December 8, 2024. Jose Adin Reyes Cruz was residing at Ashford Apartments in Houston when he was abruptly awakened by screams and heavy footsteps as the building was engulfed in flames. In his attempt to escape from his second-floor unit, Reyes Cruz was overcome by smoke and flames which impaired his visibility, causing him to fall down the stairway. This incident resulted in severe injuries for Reyes Cruz. The lawsuit claims that both Ashford Santa Cruz, LLC and HK Capital Management, LP failed in their duty to maintain safe premises and adequately warn tenants of potential dangers.
According to the petition filed by Reyes Cruz's attorney Kimberly K. Bruno of Bruno Law Group PLLC, "Defendants ASHFORD and HK CAPITAL had a duty to provide Plaintiff...premises that were safe." The complaint further accuses the defendants of negligence for not maintaining or inspecting their property properly and failing to warn tenants about unsafe conditions. The lawsuit also highlights that despite being aware of these dangerous conditions, no corrective measures were taken by the defendants.
Reyes Cruz seeks damages exceeding $1 million for past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, physical impairment, disfigurement, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity due to the injuries sustained from this incident. He demands a jury trial for fair adjudication of his claims against Ashford Santa Cruz LLC and HK Capital Management LP.
The case is presided over by Judge Berita Barrett in Harris County's 269th Judicial District Court under Case ID 2024-86557. Attorney Kimberly K. Bruno represents Jose Adin Reyes Cruz while no specific defense attorneys are mentioned for Ashford Santa Cruz LLC or HK Capital Management LP.