Man seeks up to $10M after being crushed by sheet rock

A man and his wife who say the man lost the use of one of his legs after a pile of sheet rock fell on top of him have filed suit against seven companies, seeking up to $10 million for their damages.

Jose and Victoria Sosa claim Jose Sosa was working as a heating, ventilating and air conditioning installer on July 28, 2008, at an apartment complex at 3225 Lake Arthur Drive in Port Arthur when the incident occurred.

According to the complaint filed Aug. 4 in Jefferson County District Court, another employee at the site had stacked numerous sheets of sheetrock against the wall adjacent to the room where Sosa was performing work for the defending companies.

"Suddenly and without warning the entire stack of sheet rock fell away from the wall the sheet rock was leaning against and onto Mr. Sosa," the complaint says. "The impact of the sheet rock against Mr. Sosa's body was violent and terrible. Mr. Sosa was pinned underneath the sheetrock, where his body sustained severe and permanent injuries."

As a result of the incident, Jose Sosa had to be transported by helicopter to the hospital, the suit states. And while Jose Sosa survived his life-threatening injuries, he claims he has lost the use of his left leg, causing him an inability to find work or permanent employment.

In addition, Jose Sosa suffered physical pain, mental anguish, loss of earning capacity, disfigurement and physical impairment, plus he incurred medical costs of more than $100,000, according to the complaint.

Victoria Sosa says she has been forced to miss work to care for her husband and has suffered economic loss.

Defendants named in the suit include Paha Legacy, Orion Properties, Legacy Resource Group, LRG Development, KRR Construction, KRR I Construction and KRR Development.

The Sosas blame the defending companies for numerous safety violations, for failing to provide a safe workplace and for failing to provide workers' compensation insurance, among other alleged acts of negligence.

The couple is seeking actual, economic, exemplary and statutory damages, plus costs, pre- and post-judgment interest and other relief the court deems just.

They will be represented by Hugh Jones Plummer Jr. of The Plummer Law Firm in Houston.

The case has been assigned to Judge Gary Sanderson, 60th District Courts.

Jefferson County District Court case number: B184-607.