A harrowing incident on Lake Conroe has led to a lawsuit against a local water sports company, raising questions about safety and negligence. On December 31, 2024, Tony Maldonado, Susana Baez, and Jacob Torres filed a complaint in the District Court of Harris County against 1097 Water Sports, Inc., Aaron Crawford, and Bervin Welch. The plaintiffs allege that the defendants' negligence resulted in severe injuries during a "walk the plank" activity gone wrong.
The plaintiffs claim that on July 20, 2023, while participating in an activity organized by 1097 Water Sports on their "Pirate Ship," they were injured when a metal hook detached from the rigging of the plank. This incident allegedly caused injuries ranging from head lacerations to traumatic brain injuries among several guests. According to the complaint, both Aaron Crawford and Bervin Welch were employees of 1097 Water Sports at the time and actively encouraged participants to engage in this dangerous activity despite prior warnings of potential hazards.
The lawsuit highlights serious allegations of negligence against the defendants. It is claimed that they failed to warn participants about known dangers associated with the activity and did not take necessary precautions even after experiencing similar near-miss incidents weeks before. The plaintiffs argue that these actions demonstrate gross negligence as there was no effort made to modify equipment or operational procedures despite evident risks. They further assert that the vessel's accessories were negligently designed and constructed without proper safety considerations.
Seeking justice for their ordeal, Maldonado, Baez, and Torres are pursuing monetary relief exceeding $250,000 but not more than $1 million. They are demanding compensation for past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, physical impairment and disfigurement, as well as lost wages and diminished earning capacity. Additionally, they seek exemplary damages due to what they describe as reckless disregard for customer safety by the defendants.
Representing the plaintiffs is Robert Morse from Daspit Law Firm. The case is presided over by Judge Tianni Williams under Case ID 2024-90028.