Injured workers blame halogen lamp for fire at workplace

GALVESTON � David E. Williams-Smith, Kimberly Bonner and Isaac Ramirez are suing Designer's Edge Inc. and Home Depot U.S.A. Inc. after Williams-Smith and Ramirez reportedly sustained injuries in an on-the-job fire last year.

The plaintiffs claim that a halogen Work-Light, which was designed, manufactured and marketed by the defendants, was the source of the Jan. 28, 2010, blaze at Thermal Polymer Systems where Williams-Smith and Ramirez were working.

Their suit was filed Dec. 21 in federal court for the Galveston Division of the Southern District of Texas.

Williams-Smith and Ramirez claim they were severely injured by the fire which took place in or around a tank at Thermal Polymer Systems in Brazoria County.

"Williams-Smith is severely and permanently disfigured and disabled as a result, and Ramirez continues to suffer from the physical and psychological effects of the event," the original petition says.

The plaintiffs consequently seek more than $75,000 in monetary damages and a jury trial.

They are represented by attorney Rhonda H. Wills of Houston.

The case has been assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt.

Case No. 3:10-cv-00590