A Texas federal jury recently found Tyson Foods negligent in causing an employee’s injury, awarding the plaintiff more than $2.2 million in damages.
Alleging on-the-job injuries on three separate occasions, Asa Ferrell filed suit against Tyson on Nov. 26, 2014.
A year later, on Nov. 20, an East Texas jury found Tyson negligent in causing one of the three alleged injuries, according to the verdict.
Jurors awarded Ferrell $498,382 for physical impairment, $774,478 for pain and suffering, $111,531 for mental anguish, $505,936 for lost earnings and $358,600 for medical expenses.
No damages were awarded for disfigurement.
In his suit, Ferrell alleges he was injured on Nov. 1, 2012, when an overhead door came down on him, then again in May 2013 when an overhead door came down on him for a second time.
Ferrell also alleges he suffered a lower back injury on Aug. 1, 2013, while lifting boxes, maintaining Tyson negligently failed to provide him with the necessary equipment and assistance to accomplish the task.
On both occasions, the jury found no negligence on the part of Tyson for the alleged injures suffered when the overhead door shut on Ferrell, according to the verdict.
However, the jury did find Tyson’s negligence was the proximate cause of the Aug. 1, 2013, lifting injury.
Ferrell is represented by Ted B. Lyon & Associates in Mesquite.
Tyson is represented by Zach Mayer, attorney for the Dallas law firm Kane Russell Coleman & Logan.
Case No. 4:14-cv-00775-DDB