Consultant falls while running up hill during fire alarm, sues Motiva

A Beaumont man claims he deserves to recover damages he incurred after falling up a hill while evacuating a plant.

Frederick Mike filed a lawsuit Aug. 24 against Motiva Enterprises.

Mike claims he was working for Fugro Consultants, an engineering company providing consulting work and other services for Motiva.

While working at the Motiva plant on June 2, 2008, Mike heard an alarm that required the plant be evacuated, according to the complaint.

So, Mike states he began following the evacuation route he was taught, which required him to climb a hill with at least a 45 percent slope. But as Mike climbed the hill, he tripped and fell, the complaint says.

Because of his fall, Mike claims he is now limited in the type of work he can perform. For example, he can no longer do heavy work, according to the complaint.

Mike blames Motiva for instructing him and others to take an unreasonably dangerous evacuation path from the plant, for failing to provide a more reasonable evacuation route, for failing to provide him with a safe work place and for failing to adequately mark evacuation paths.

Mike is asking the court to allow him to recover his damages, plus pre- and post-judgment interest, costs and other relief to which he may be entitled.

Steven C. Barkley of Beaumont will be representing the plaintiff.

The case has been assigned to Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court.

Jefferson County District Court case number: E184-764.