Judge Grants Nonsuit in Chick-fil-A Fall Case

A Wichita Falls judge allowed a delivery driver's lawsuit against the restaurant operator to be refiled later.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Dining Out

Judge Grants Nonsuit in Chick-fil-A Fall Case

Thirtieth District Court Judge Jeff McKnight granted Michelle Decker's notice of nonsuit without prejudice on Thursday, Oct. 29, in her case against Falls Hospitality Inc., operator of Chick-fil-A restaurants in Wichita Falls. A nonsuit without prejudice in Texas allows the plaintiff to bring the case back to court.

Why it matters

The ruling lets Decker potentially refile her claim over a fall at a local restaurant entrance without losing her right to pursue it. It also keeps the dispute over the extent of her injuries open for future proceedings.

The lawsuit seeks more than $1 million in damages over a fall on a wet floor at the restaurant entrance at 4101 Southwest Parkway. Whether Decker will refile the case has not been determined, and the defense contends her medical condition predated the incident.

The players

Jeff McKnight

Jeff McKnight is the judge of the Thirtieth District Court in Texas who granted the nonsuit in the case.

Falls Hospitality Inc.

Falls Hospitality Inc. is the company that operates the Chick-fil-A restaurants in Wichita Falls and was the defendant in the lawsuit.

The details

Michelle Decker, a DoorDash delivery driver, fell on a wet floor at the entrance to the Chick-fil-A at 4101 Southwest Parkway on Nov. 8, 2024. Her suit alleges serious bodily injury, and Chick-fil-A's attorneys argued her medical condition was preexisting.

Nov. 8, 2024: Decker falls on a wet floor at the restaurant entrance.
Nov. 6, 2025: Decker files her lawsuit against Falls Hospitality Inc.
Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026: Judge McKnight grants the notice of nonsuit without prejudice.

Dining Out Context

Premises liability suits over slip-and-fall incidents at restaurants are governed by Texas procedure that allows plaintiffs to nonsuit and refile, as this ruling demonstrates. The Decker case reflects how such claims can proceed when a plaintiff withdraws and preserves the option to return to court.

Diners and restaurant patrons in Wichita Falls may see how premises liability claims at local restaurants proceed through the courts. Decker's ability to refile means the dispute over the fall at the Southwest Parkway entrance remains open.

The takeaway

Restaurant entrances can present slip hazards during wet weather, and property operators in Wichita Falls are reminded to keep walkways dry and marked. Customers who are injured should document the scene and seek medical evaluation promptly.