Parents accuse rubber seal distributors of gross negligence
HOUSTON — Parents are suing Surge Operating LLC, Apache Manufacturing Inc. and Knox Oil Field Supply Inc., rubber seal distributors, citing alleged gross negligence.
Joe Stinson and Allison Stinson, individually and as representatives of the estate of Coby Lane Stinson, deceased filed a complaint on July 12, in the Harris County District Court against the defendants alleging that they failed to supply a rubber seal that was safe for its intended use.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that, in June 9, 2017, Coby Lane Stinson was working on the Dyess 8AH location in Borden County to connect a manifold to a butterfly valve, when suddenly and without warning, the rubber Buna seal, supplied by defendants blown out of the valve, causing tremendous amount of water to strike him in the chest and throwing him approximately 20 feet into a backhoe. He suffered critical injuries and died. The plaintiffs holds Surge Operating LLC, Apache Manufacturing Inc. and Knox Oil Field Supply Inc. responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to advise their customers on proper use of the butterfly valve containing the rubber Buna seal and failed to provide adequate warning or danger associated with using it with various pressures, loads or conditions.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek monetary relief of more than $1,000,000 and such other and further relief to which they are entitled. They are represented by W. Mark Lanier, Lawrence P. Wilson and Patrice B. McKinney of The Lanier Law Firm PC in Houston.
Harris County District Court Case number 2018-46440