Memorial Starbucks accused of ADA violations

A woman is suing after, she says, her deceased husband sustained serious injuries while using the ADA noncompliant facilities of a Memorial-area Starbucks.

Marilyn Zahri, as representative of the estate of Mohammed Zahri, filed a lawsuit on Nov. 10 in the Harris County District Court against Starbucks, citing negligence, violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, negligence per se, and violations of the Human Resource Code.

Zahri says on Dec. 2, 2010, her husband sustained serious injuries while using the facilities at Starbucks, located 14333 Westheimer Road in Memorial. According to the brief, Zahri, who had a disability necessitating the use of a grab bar, fell as he attempted to use the grab bar in Starbucks’ bathroom.

The suit alleges the unsecured bar detached from the wall, causing Zahri to fall and hit his head and his elbow.

Zahri is seeking damages, attorney’s fees and court costs. She is being represented in the case by Houston attorney Rick Molina.

Harris County District Court Case No. 2011-68279.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Harris County Courthouse. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.