In a gripping legal battle unfolding in Harris County, Texas, a woman has taken legal action against two resort management companies following a harrowing incident that left her with significant injuries. On March 27, 2025, Kali Guttman filed a complaint in the District Court of Harris County against Z Resorts Management, LLC and Transformation 5701, LLC.
The case centers around an incident that occurred on December 2, 2023, when Guttman was staying at a hotel operated by the defendants at 5701 Main Street in Houston. According to the petition, Guttman became trapped in an elevator on the premises. During her rescue by local fire services, an unsecured roof panel from the elevator fell and struck her head. The plaintiff alleges that the defendants were aware of the missing safety chain on the panel but continued to operate the elevator regardless. This negligence resulted in Guttman suffering severe injuries to her head, neck, back, right shoulder, and other parts of her body.
Guttman's lawsuit accuses Z Resorts Management and Transformation 5701 of premise liability and gross negligence. She argues that they failed to maintain safe conditions on their property and neglected to warn guests about potential hazards. "Defendant negligently allowed the premises to become dangerous," states the petition. Furthermore, it claims that these actions were not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of negligence where safety protocols were disregarded.
The plaintiff is seeking monetary relief exceeding one million dollars for damages including physical pain, mental anguish, disfigurement, medical expenses both past and future, physical impairment, economic losses such as lost wages and loss of earning capacity. Additionally, she seeks punitive damages due to what she describes as gross negligence or malice on behalf of the defendants.
Representing Kali Guttman is attorney Thomas Locke Henry from Locke Henry Law PLLC based in Corpus Christi. The case is being presided over by Judge Monica Jackson under Case ID 2025-20679.