Parties seek continuance in fall suit over missing step

Three defendant companies and the plaintiff are seeking a continuance in a suit alleging a missing bottom step caused the plaintiff to stumble and fall.

As previously reported, the suit was filed Teddy Cloide on Jan. 17, 2012 in Jefferson County District Court and names Echo Maintenance, Fluor Daniel Services and Total Petrochemicals USA as defendants. 

Court records show the parties filed an agreed motion for continuance on Oct. 21, stating that no party has made an unconditional announcement of ready for trial.

The parties are asking the court to remove the case from its January 2014 trial.

According to the lawsuit, on Feb. 2, 2010, Cloide, a Newtron employee, was working at Total’s Jefferson County premises. He was injured while descended a set of metal stairs when his foot failed to land on the absent bottom step. As he fell forward, he struck a table, hitting his stomach and injuring his spine.

The suit asserts that the defendants maintained the premises in were negligent in not correcting the dangerous condition.

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

Beaumont attorney Curtis Leister of the Reaud, Morgan & Quinn law firm represents him.

Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court, is assigned to the case.

Case No. D191-673