Suit over man’s fall at construction site settles before trial

Slated for trial this week, a suit over a man’s fall at a construction site settled before a jury could be selected.

Houston resident Mario Gonzalez filed suit against H.E.S. Enterprises on Oct. 1, 2012, in Jefferson County District Court, claiming it is the company’s fault he fell one story at a construction site.

The case was set to go to trial Monday but, according to a courthouse official, the parties announced they had reached a settlement.

The original petition claims that on Feb. 2, 2011, Gonzalez was employed by H.E.S. Enterprises and working at a jobsite in Beaumont when he was instructed to perform construction work in an unsafe environment.

“As a consequence, plaintiff fell one story and injured his right arm and struck his head,” the suit states. “Plaintiff was not provided with safety equipment in order to secure himself in his work position.”

The suit further accuses H.E.S. Enterprises of negligently failing to supervise and train its employees.

Gonzalez was suing for exemplary damages, on top of damages for his alleged past and future medical expenses, mental anguish, pain, impairment and lost wages, plus all court costs.

Presiding over the case is Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court.

Case No. D193-241