Houston

What to do after a slip and fall in Houston

The short answer

After a slip and fall in Houston, who owns or controls the property matters, because Texas law sets different rules for government property than for private property. Claims against a government unit, including the City of Houston, also carry written-notice rules in state law and the city charter, listed below with their sources. InjuryClaimGuide is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.

Key facts, as of October 22, 2026

The City of Houston's charter, quoted on the city Legal Department's claims page, requires written, verified notice of an injury claim against the city within 90 days; the page says to sign the letter before a notary and mail it to the City Secretary's Office, with a copy to the City Attorney's Claims/Subrogation Section. Source: City of Houston Legal Department, Filing a Claim
Under the Texas Tort Claims Act, a governmental unit is entitled to notice of a claim within six months after the incident, and the same section ratifies a city charter's own notice period. Source: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §101.101
Texas generally sets a two-year limitations period for personal-injury lawsuits, counted from the day the cause of action accrues, with exceptions set by statute. Source: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.003

Slip and fall claims are a form of premises liability: property owners have a responsibility to keep their property reasonably safe. The standard varies based on circumstances and jurisdiction.

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Slip and Fall

What duty does a government property owner owe in Texas?

For a premise defect on government property, Texas law limits the duty owed to the duty a private person owes a licensee on private property, unless the person paid to use the premises. Source: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §101.022(a)
That limit does not apply to the duty to warn of special defects, such as excavations or obstructions on highways, roads or streets. Source: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §101.022(b)

How does Texas divide responsibility for an injury?

Under Texas's proportionate-responsibility statute, a claimant may not recover damages if the claimant's percentage of responsibility is greater than 50 percent. Source: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §33.001

When does Texas law allow a claim against a governmental unit over a property condition?

A governmental unit in Texas is liable for personal injury and death caused by a condition or use of tangible personal or real property if the governmental unit would, were it a private person, be liable to the claimant according to Texas law. Source: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §101.021(2)
Sovereign immunity to suit is waived to the extent of the liability that the Texas Tort Claims Act creates, and a person with a claim under that chapter may sue a governmental unit. Source: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §101.025