VERDICT $3,448,000 – Worker Suffers Spinal Cord Injury

FACTS & ALLEGATIONS

On Oct. 29, 2002, plaintiff Raul Doe Jr., 28, an oilfield worker, was seriously injured while helping a welder connect a large pipe to a flange at a Starr County well site.  The heavy pipe was supported at one end by a forklift and at the other end by Doe and the welder.  The welder let go of the pipe when he bent down to retrieve a dropped bolt.

Doe and his wife, Garciela, sued the welder’s employer, Cactus Iron Works Inc., Edinburg, and rig owner Nabors Drilling USA LP, Houston, for negligence, alleging that they failed to provide a safe work environment and failed to assign adequately trained personnel to the rigging operations. Cactus Iron Works argued that the accident was not caused by the negligence of either party.  It also maintained that the welder did not know that Doe was injured until he learned later in the day that Doe was taken to the hospital.

INJURIES/DAMAGES

Doe complained of neck, back and shoulder pain and was later hospitalized for three days after he kept vomiting blood.  Doe sustained a herniated lumbar disc and underwent a two-level lumbar fusion.  Until the fusion solidifies, he will be physically impaired and require care.
Doe has not been able to return to work.  His wife complained of loss of consortium and household services.  They asked the jury for $3.9 million.

RESULT: The jury found Cactus Iron Works 100% liable and awarded $3,448,000 in damages.  The case was later settled for a confidential amount.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence of others, contact the Houston workplace negligence attorneys at The Ammons Law Firm today for a free consultation.

Rob Ammons is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, in addition to being Board Certified in Civil Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Rob Ammons’ law practice, The Ammons Law Firm, is located in Houston, Texas. The Ammons Law Firm practice is exclusively personal injury law, handling such cases as: tire defects, oil rig explosions, truck accidents, plant explosions, refinery accidents, wrongful death, post-collision fires, seat belt defects, airbag defects, SUV rollovers and workplace negligence.