Amended notice of hearing filed to enter judgment in $225K Valero injury trial

Brent Coon & Associates attorney Jason Cansler filed an amended notice on Nov. 15 to change a hearing time for entry of a final judgment.

Last month, the Southeast Texas Record reported that a Jefferson County jury found defendant Valero Energy and plaintiff Allan Gaspard equally at fault for Gaspard's work related injury, but still elected to levy a $225,688.80 verdict against the oil company.

The case went to trial on Sept. 28 and ended Oct. 1. Judge Bob Wortham, 58th District Court, presided over the trial.

On Oct. 29 the plaintiff filed a notice to enter the final judgment, slating the hearing for 8:45 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 18, court records show.

The amended notice changes the hearing time to 10:30 a.m.

Gaspard, an Orange County resident, filed suit against Valero in January 2009, alleging the company negligently caused him to burn his hand with acid.

Court records show Gaspard was performing work on a line carrying hydrofluoric acid at the Valero Port Arthur refinery when a valve malfunctioned and released the acid.

The jury concluded that both Valero and Gaspard were evenly responsible for the injury, assigning 50 percent of the negligence to each party.

But the jury still wanted Gaspard to be receive compensation, and awarded him $107,500 for impairment and disfigurement, $50,000 for mental anguish, $29,500 for lost wages and $13,688.80 in past medical expenses.

Valero is represented by Beaumont attorney Michael Eaves of the Calvert Eaves Clarke & Stelly law firm.

Case No. A183-062