Crystal Soto-Johnson has filed a lawsuit against a prominent Houston nightclub, alleging negligence and seeking substantial damages. The complaint was filed on February 26, 2025, in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, against Uptown Entertainment Group, LLC, doing business as Uptown Lounge.
According to the petition submitted by Crystal Soto-Johnson, the incident that sparked this legal battle occurred on August 7, 2024. Soto-Johnson claims she was exiting Uptown Lounge when an unprovoked security guard punched her in the face with significant force. This altercation allegedly resulted in severe injuries after she fell onto a nearby vehicle. The plaintiff accuses Uptown Entertainment Group of maintaining a history of negligence concerning their patrons and staff. She asserts that the establishment has been negligent in admitting violent patrons, serving excessive amounts of alcohol, and improperly hiring and supervising employees, including security personnel.
Soto-Johnson's case rests on several legal arguments. She claims premises liability due to the defendant's failure to protect invitees from dangerous conditions arising from their control over the premises. "The violent and unruly patrons posed an unreasonable risk of harm," she argues, stating that Uptown Lounge should have known about these dangers and failed to exercise ordinary care to protect her from them. Additionally, Soto-Johnson accuses the defendants of negligence per se for not providing adequate security measures at the venue. The complaint highlights several foreseeable risks due to insufficient security personnel and inadequate vetting of patrons who were allegedly served excessive alcohol.
The plaintiff is seeking monetary relief ranging from $250,000 to $1 million for damages incurred due to medical expenses—both past and future—mental anguish, physical pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, lost earning capacity, property damage, as well as pre-judgment and post-judgment interest. Furthermore, Soto-Johnson seeks punitive or exemplary damages based on allegations of gross negligence by Uptown Entertainment Group.
Representing Crystal Soto-Johnson are attorneys Dominique D. Calhoun and Joy R. Wells from Calhoun Meredith PLLC. The case is being presided over by Judge Wanda Chambers under Case ID 2025-12974 in the 270th Judicial District Court.