Plaintiff who set himself on fire responds to discovery request

Plaintiff Garrick Goins, who sued the M. Weeks Welding Laboratory Testing and School after setting himself on fire, recently responded to a request for disclosure.

The Southeast Texas Record reported that the suit, which alleges Goins was not properly supervised, was filed Aug. 5 in Jefferson County District Court.

Court records show that on Oct. 11 Goins served the school's counsel, Beaumont attorney Jessica Hallmark, with his response to its request for disclosure.

According to the lawsuit, on Oct. 6, 2010, Goins was a student at the welding school's Nederland campus when he ignited a fire. Allegedly, the instructor had left the room, leaving Goins and another student alone while preforming a weld.

Somehow, Goins caught his shirt on fire, according to the lawsuit. The fire quickly spread, burning his torso and arms.

M. Weeks Welding is accused of not properly supervising and instructing students and failing to provide the proper safety equipment.

The plaintiff is suing for his alleged past and future medical expenses, mental anguish, pain, impairment, disfigurement and lost wages, plus all court costs.

Matthew Matheny, attorney for the Beaumont law firm Provost Umphrey, represents him.

Judge Gary Sanderson, 6oth District Court, is assigned to the case.

Case No. B190-651