If you or a family member was injured in this shooting, Texas law may give you the right to pursue a civil claim against the property owner or operator.
Get Connected Now →A trip to a fast-food restaurant should never end in a hospital. When two teenagers were shot in a Houston Burger King parking lot, their families were thrust into a nightmare that no one should have to face alone. In the hours and days that follow a violent incident like this, victims and their families are managing medical emergencies, law enforcement interviews, and emotional trauma all at once. It can feel impossible to also think about legal rights.
The reality is that commercial property owners in Texas have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to protect customers from foreseeable harm. If a parking lot has a documented history of violent incidents or if adequate security measures were not in place, the property owner, restaurant operator, or a security contractor may bear civil responsibility for injuries that result. Understanding those rights early matters because the window to act is limited under Texas law.
Texas premises liability law may allow injured visitors to bring civil claims against a property owner or operator if they failed to provide adequate security and that failure contributed to the harm. Each case turns on its own facts, including whether the property owner knew or should have known about prior criminal activity in the area. An attorney can evaluate the specific circumstances of your situation.
A criminal case against the shooter and a civil premises liability claim are separate legal matters. You may be able to pursue a civil claim against the property owner, operator, or security contractor regardless of the outcome of any criminal proceedings. Civil and criminal cases have different legal standards and different timelines.
In most Texas personal injury cases, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the injury. Missing this deadline can bar you from recovering compensation. Because gathering evidence, identifying responsible parties, and building a claim takes time, speaking with an attorney as soon as possible is advisable.
Texas law has specific provisions regarding claims brought on behalf of minors, and a parent or guardian typically pursues the claim on the child's behalf. The statute of limitations rules may differ when the injured party is under 18. An attorney familiar with Texas law can explain how these rules apply to your family's specific situation.
HurtMatch is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect people who have been injured with Texas personal injury attorneys who handle cases like theirs. Submitting your information through our platform does not create an attorney-client relationship. There is no cost to use HurtMatch, and the attorneys we connect you with work on a contingency basis, meaning no fee unless you win.