The case, Estate of Morris, et al vs. Grecon, et al, resulted in a verdict of $18,460,279 and was tried in 2017 in a federal court in Lufkin, according to a press release.
On April 26, 2014, there was a fire and explosion at the Georgia Pacific plywood mill in Corrigan, Texas. Kenneth Morris lost his life in that fire, leaving behind a widow and two daughters, Leger told the Record.
"Jimmy Williams survived but at a tremendous price – he was severely burned over nearly 70 percent of his body, most of which were full thickness burns," Leger said. "He suffered respiratory failure, kidney failure and life-threatening infections. Mr. Williams remains severely scarred – both physically and emotionally.
Leger
"He is haunted by what he experienced and what he saw on that day. This provides cruel proof of the price that working men and women pay when safety is shunned in order to save a few dollars here or a few dollars there.”
The accolade for the largest verdict includes all cases tried throughout Texas in either federal or state court, the release states.
Top Verdict, a national organization that collects and analyzes verdicts from across the U.S., comprised the list of the largest jury verdicts obtained in Texas in 2017.
This is not the first such honor for Leger.
Not only was this verdict the top verdict in Texas, it was also included among The United States’ Top 100 Verdicts of 2017, according to Verdict Search.
“Fighting for workplace safety is something I have been passionate about my entire career so it is a great honor to receive the number one verdict in Texas,” Leger said. “The Ferguson Law Firm is committed to protecting Texas workers and I could not be prouder to be a part of this great team.”
Leger has long represented victims of workplace negligence, including her nationally-recognized $40,000,000 settlement for a burn victim in a workplace accident, the release states.
She also obtained a $66,000,000 arbitration award for industrial workers injured in a steel mill accident.
“I have seen the lives of good, hard-working people altered forever through no fault of their own when companies shirk safety responsibilities in pursuit of profits,” Leger said. “Companies charged with safety duties need to know if they do not do their jobs carefully and correctly in Texas, they will be held accountable.”
The verdict topped the Texas list in several categories: workplace safety, work accident, dangerous condition, workplace negligence, failure to maintain and negligence maintenance.
Paul ‘Chip’ Ferguson, the managing partner for The Ferguson Law Firm, also commented: “I could not be prouder. Jane earned this recognition the way recognition should be earned – by hard work and dedication to the client. That is what she stands for and that is what we stand for.”
The Ferguson Law Firm, LLP is dedicated to protecting the rights of those harmed by others’ wrongdoing. The lawyers at The Ferguson Law Firm have obtained verdicts and settlements that remain among the top verdicts and settlements obtained, both at the nation and state levels. The law firm continues to maintain its offices in Beaumont.