San Angelo Woman’s Fall at Holy Angels Church Leads to Lawsuit

SAN ANGELO, TX — A San Angelo woman who says she was injured after falling from a darkened platform inside Holy Angels Catholic Church has filed a negligence lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Angelo, according to court records. The case is currently set for a dismissal docket hearing on Dec. 9, 2025, at 3 p.m. in the 340th District Court.

Janice Smith filed her petition on March 6, 2025, alleging she suffered injuries on March 10, 2023, when the lights went out while she was praying inside the church and she was left alone in the dark. According to the lawsuit, Smith says a door was then opened by a custodian or maintenance worker, and as she turned, she fell from an “unprotected, unlighted, and unknown ledge,” injuring her right knee.

Smith accuses the defendants of multiple forms of negligence, including failing to warn her of a dangerous condition, allowing her to be in an unlighted area, having untrained personnel on the premises, and failing to properly supervise or train workers. The petition claims the defendants knew or should have known about the dark area and ledge and did not warn her about the hazard.

The lawsuit also includes claims of negligent activity, negligent exercise of control, premises liability, and joint liability. Smith further invokes the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur, arguing that the type of incident described would not ordinarily occur without negligence. She seeks monetary damages of more than $250,000 but less than $1 million, including compensation for medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and impairment.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Angelo and Holy Angels Church filed their answer on April 2, 2025. In the response, the defendants issued a general denial, formally disputing all allegations and demanding strict proof. They asked the court to dismiss the case or rule that Smith take nothing. The defendants also requested a jury trial.

The case is assigned to Judge Jay Weatherby of the 340th District Court.