Plaintiff swaps counsel in injury suit against ExxonMobil

A plaintiff suing ExxonMobil after receiving a lashing by an allegedly defective hose had her motion to substitute counsel recently granted.

As previously reported, area resident Sylvia Barlow filed suit against ExxonMobil on Jan. 31 in Jefferson County District Court, claiming the company knew the hose was unsafe to use.

Court records show that on July 25 Barlow filed an Unopposed Motion to Substitute Counsel, seeking to replace Houston attorney Michael Pierce of Arnold & Itkin with Michael Tilton, attorney for the Houston firm Tilton & Tilton.

That same day, Judge Gary Sanderson, 6oth District Court, granted the motion.

According to the lawsuit, on April 21, Barlow, an employee of Inotek Safety Consultants, was working as a fire watch at ExxonMobil’s Beaumont plant when a hose nozzle — which was supplied by the company — broke, causing the hose and nozzle to move violently and strike her lower left leg and back.

“Plaintiff learned after her accident that defendant ExxonMobil knew the nozzle and/or hose was unsafe but failed to advise her prior to the time of her accident,” the lawsuit alleges.

The suit further accuses ExxonMobil of negligently failing to maintain its equipment and properly train and supervise its employees.

On top of exemplary damages and punitive damages, the plaintiff is suing for her alleged past and future medical expenses, mental anguish, pain, impairment and lost wages.

Case No. B193-876