GALVESTON � Complaining that a pipe struck him while he was working at BP Products North America Inc.'s Texas City refinery, Mateo Espinoza has filed suit against the petrochemical company and plant manager Keith Casey.
The lawsuit filed May 10 in Galveston County District Court claims Espinoza sustained injuries to his head and right shoulder as a result of the June 9, 2010, incident.
Recent court documents show the plaintiff was working at the plant and was instructed to help other workers move a 40-foot pipe that was hanging from the work area and sustained by cables.
"The plaintiff began working as instructed when, suddenly and without warning, the cable sustaining the pipe broke causing the pipe to fall and strike the plaintiff on his head and right shoulder," the original petition says.
"Unbeknownst to the plaintiff, the area in question posed an unreasonable risk of harm to him and other workers."
It shows "at all times hereto, BP's activities were managed and controlled by Keith Casey."
"As the owner and entity controlling the area at issue, BP knew or should have known that the area posed an unreasonable risk of harm to the plaintiff and other workers," the suit says.
Consequently, Espinoza seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.
He is represented by Ireson, Weizel & Hightower P.C.
The case has been assigned to Galveston County 10th District Court Judge David Garner.
Case No. 11-cv-0765
Worker sues BP over injury from falling pipe at Texas City refinery
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