Buzbee
GALVESTON – A laborer from Little Rock, Ark., claims to have sustained multiple injuries a month ago while working for an industrial construction company at the BP refinery in Texas City.
In a lawsuit filed March 23 against Miken Specialties Ltd. in Galveston County District Court, Jaime Gonzalez states that he fell from a tower in the Pipestill 3 unit on Feb. 17.
He was forced to use a ladder and scaffolding arrangement set up by the defendant to descend the tower, the suit says.
Gonzalez states his foot was trapped by the equipment as he made the climb down.
"While descending, the plaintiff's foot was caught by a piece of the scaffolding that was placed by the defendant in between two rungs of the ladder," the original petition says.
"As a result, the plaintiff fell 6 feet and injured his back, neck, shoulder, left leg and other parts of his body."
The suit blames Miken Specialties for failing to maintain a safe workplace, failing to have a safe means of entering and exiting the tower, failing to keep a proper lookout and failing to implement, follow and enforce proper safety procedures.
Gonzalez is seeking damages for physical pain and suffering, disfigurement, mental anguish, medical expenses and losses of earning capacity, consortium and companionship.
A jury trial is requested.
The Buzbee Law Firm is representing the plaintiff.
Galveston County 212th District Court Judge Susan Criss is presiding over the case.
Case No. 11-cv-0510