Utilities employee sues after stairway injury

GALVESTON - Claiming he was injured on a flight of stairs while at work, Keith Smith has filed suit against the parties he claims are responsible.

A lawsuit filed Sept. 8 in Galveston County District Court alleges Millennial Steel LLC and Ratjen Enterprises Inc. negligently designed, constructed and installed a staircase at Smith's workplace, the San Leon Municipal Utilities District.

According to the original petition, the plaintiff fell from the staircase on May 27, 2010, suffering severe bodily injury.

"The plaintiff would further show that the defendants' conduct when viewed objectively from the standpoint of the defendants at the time of its occurrence involved an extreme degree of risk, considering the probability and magnitude of the potential harm to others," the suit says.

"Further, the defendants had actual subjective awareness of the risks involved, but nevertheless preceded with conscious indifference to the rights, safety or welfare of others."

Smith blames the respondents for failing to design, construct, install and inspect the staircase in a reasonably prudent manner as well as failing to maintain a safe working environment.

Consequently, the plaintiff seeks unspecified monetary damages.

He is represented by The Hughes Law Firm.

Galveston County 10th District Court Judge David Garner is presiding over the case.

Case No. 11-cv-1430