HOUSTON — A former EGC Critical Components worker who says he suffered injuries when his supervisor allegedly set off a "smoke sparkler bomb" is suing the company and the supervisor for more than $1 million.
According to the Oct. 21 Harris County District Court filing, Arnold McElyea accuses CDI Energy Products, doing business as EGC Critical Components, and Dwayne "Red" Beasley, alleging harassment.
According to the complaint, on Nov. 14, 2018, McEleya was working as a night maintenance foreman. The suit states as McEleya was welding, Beasley "set off a sparkler 'bomb' very close [to him]." The incident allegedly came after McElyea's had expressed numerous complaints to management about Beasley continuing to do "bizarre" activities such as slamming hammers and placing snakes under the plaintiff's desk in an effort to startle him and to make sure he was paying attention to his job.
"When reviewed objectively from the standpoint of the defendants at the time of the incident in question, [these] actions or omissions constituted an extreme degree of risk, considering the probability and magnitude of potential harm to others," the plaintiff alleged.
McElyea seeks monetary relief of more than $1 million, interest and all just relief. He is represented by attorney Jonathan Kieschnick of Houston.
Harris County District Court case number 2019-76790