Local man falls off brush hog, sues for more than $1 million

GALVESTON - A local man seeks more than $1 million in damages after he reportedly fell off a rotary mower last year, recent court papers say.

Brian Rinehart blames Cecil Norman, also of Galveston, for the subject incident in a lawsuit filed Nov. 5 in Galveston County District Court.

Rinehart was helping Norman cut grass at an unspecified location at the time of the event.

Sometime during or after the task, Rinehart rode on the back of a brush hog being pulled by Norman's vehicle.

The suit shows the plaintiff was disembarking from the mower when "the defendant pulled forward and caused the plaintiff to fall off."

"As a result of the defendant's actions, the plaintiff was injured," the original petition says.

Norman is additionally faulted for failing to keep a proper lookout.

Consequently, Rinehart sues for physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, impairment, disfigurement, lost earnings and medical expenses.

A jury trial is requested.

Attorney Christopher D. Bertini of the Bertini Law Firm, P.C. in Galveston is representing the claimant, and Galveston County 212th District Court Judge Susan Criss is presiding over the litigation.

Case No. 13-CV-1412