An elderly woman has taken legal action against a major Texas-based grocery chain following a hazardous incident in one of its stores. On April 25, 2025, Melanie Seigle filed a complaint in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, against H-E-B, LP. The lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of the grocery chain that resulted in serious injuries to Seigle.
The incident at the heart of this case occurred on an unspecified date in 2025 at the Bunker Hill H-E-B store located at 9710 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas. According to the plaintiff's petition, Melanie Seigle was shopping as an invitee when she slipped and fell due to a piece of cardboard or an unknown substance left on the floor by an employee of H-E-B. This fall caused significant harm to Seigle, who is described as an 81-year-old woman. The petition claims that no warning signs were present and that H-E-B failed to maintain safe conditions within their premises.
Seigle's complaint accuses H-E-B of breaching its duty of care by not inspecting or maintaining safe walking areas and failing to warn customers about potential hazards. The lawsuit highlights that H-E-B had control over the premises and should have been aware of the dangerous condition posed by the cardboard or substance on the floor. As such, it argues that H-E-B's negligence directly led to Seigle's injuries. "Defendant knew or should have known [of] the dangerous condition," states the petition, emphasizing how these actions—or lack thereof—created unreasonable risks for patrons like Seigle.
In her lawsuit, Melanie Seigle seeks compensation for various damages resulting from her fall. These include past and future medical expenses deemed reasonable and necessary due to her injuries, physical pain and suffering endured both in the past and anticipated in future scenarios, physical impairment experienced previously and likely forthcoming impairments as well as mental anguish related to this ordeal. Additionally, she requests pre-judgment interest along with post-judgment interest alongside costs incurred during court proceedings.
Representing Melanie Seigle are attorneys Steve Shellist and Monica H. Aguirre from The Shellist Law Firm based out of Houston. They are advocating for their client’s right to recovery under Texas law while ensuring all evidence pertinent to this case is preserved by H-E-B moving forward—a failure which would constitute spoliation according to their filing documentation with Case ID: 2025-29256 presided over by Judge Jarod Stirrup in Court: 215.