Woman sues after being flung from swing

A Lumberton woman who voluntarily climbed into a swing hanging from a track hoe is suing after being flung into a bulldozer.

Jesse Richardson filed her suit against Thomas Anderson, H&T Construction and Mustang Machinery on Sept. 10 in Orange County District Court.

According to her suit, Richardson says on Sept. 12, 2008, she was encouraged by Anderson, a H&T Construction employee, to climb into a swing he had attached to a track hoe, which was owned by Mustang.

"After Anderson convinced Richardson to try the swing, she asked him to 'go slow,'" the suit states. "Anderson did not go slow. The rope broke and Richardson was thrown violently into a parked bulldozer."

Richardson suffered several fractured bones and gashes, court papers say.

Court papers show her medical expenses totaled $783,620.66.

Richardson accuses the defendants of negligently failing "to provide proper safety gear and operate machines in a safe area," court papers say.

She is suing for actual and exemplary damages.

Her minor daughter, who is also a plaintiff in the suit, is suing for loss of consortium.

Richardson is represented by Beaumont attorney Brian Sutton of Sutton & Jacobs.

Judge Buddy Hahn, 260th District Court, has been assigned to the case.

Case No. D100573