Margaret Espree has filed a lawsuit against a major grocery chain, alleging negligence after a slip-and-fall incident left her with serious injuries. The complaint was filed by Espree on January 17, 2025, in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, naming H-E-B LP, doing business as H-E-B #614, as the defendant.
According to the petition, Margaret Espree was shopping at the H-E-B store located at 12680 West Lake Houston Parkway in Houston on an unspecified date in 2023 when she slipped on a brown liquid substance on the floor. The fall resulted in significant injuries that Espree claims were due to the store's negligence. She argues that there were no warning signs about the dangerous condition and that H-E-B had control over the premises and its conditions at all times. The lawsuit states that "Defendant thus owed Plaintiff a duty to inspect and maintain the premises in a reasonably safe manner" and failed to do so.
Espree's petition outlines several allegations against H-E-B, including failure to acknowledge prior dangerous conditions, inadequate inspection and maintenance of the premises, lack of proper employee training, and failure to warn customers of hazards. She contends that these failures constituted negligence on part of H-E-B and were proximate causes of her injuries. Additionally, Espree asserts that employees involved were acting within their employment scope, making H-E-B liable under the doctrine of respondeat superior.
The plaintiff is seeking monetary relief ranging from $250,000 to $1 million for damages incurred due to physical pain and disability both past and future, mental anguish suffered from the date of injury through trial time and anticipated future suffering. Furthermore, she seeks compensation for loss of earnings and earning capacity as well as medical expenses already incurred and those expected in future treatments related to her injuries.
Representing Margaret Espree is attorney Steven A. Owsley from Owsley Law Firm PLLC based in Houston. The case has been assigned Case ID 2025-03776 in Harris County's 333rd Judicial District Court.