BEAUMONT - A former district judge who gave up the bench to become Jefferson County’s district attorney recently filed an asbestos lawsuit on behalf of the late refereeing legend H.T. “Beau” Hicks Jr.
District Attorney Bob Wortham, formerly of the 58th District Court in Beaumont, filed the petition on April 21 in Jefferson County District Court.
Wortham had previously filed a petition to perpetuate testimony last June.
Hicks, 83, died on Aug. 24, 2014. Since 1957, he officiated high school and college football, and moonlighted as a scout for the NFL.
The defendants include 4520 Corp., Atlantic Richfield, Beazer East, Chevron USA, DuPont, ExxonMobil, Foster Wheeler Energy, Guard-Line, Gulf Oil, Huntsman, Texaco, Total Pertrochemicals, Union Oil and Wyeth Holdings.
In the petition, Wortham, who officiated with Hicks for a time, says Hicks was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2014.
The suit alleges Hicks was exposed during his employment with the defendants in Jefferson County.
Wortham is suing for exemplary damages.
Tina Bradley of the Beaumont law firm Hobson & Bradley represents Wortham.
Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court, has been assigned to the case.
Case No. D-198375