HOUSTON — A worker who was struck and pinned underneath a forklift being operated by a fellow employee is claiming his former employer's negligence.
Mardell Christian filed a complaint April 12 in Harris County District Court against R+L Carriers Inc., R+L Carriers Shared Services LLC and RLR Investments LLC alleging negligence.
According to Christian's complaint, he was working as a warehouse employee for the defendants on Nov. 1, 2019. He claims he was "on the ground on his knees" attempting to replace a sticker on a piece of freight, when he was struck and became pinned underneath a forklift being operated by a fellow employee. Christian alleges he suffered "catastrophic" injuries that required "extensive and extremely painful" surgeries and physical therapy.
He further alleges the defendants do not subscribe to Texas Workers' Compensation Insurance and that he has been left with unpaid medical bills that have "severely harmed" his credit. Christian claims the defendants failed to train or supervise its employee on the operation of the forklift and also failed to implement "proper" safety measures. He also claims the defendants did not supply their employees with "adequate" or "necessary" tools and equipment and were negligent in "entrusting its forklift to a reckless and/or incompetent driver."
Christian seeks monetary relief of more than $1 million, interest and all other just relief. He is represented by Bryant Fitts and Rachel Martin-Deckelmann of The Fitts Law Firm PLLC in Houston.
Harris County District Court case number 2021-21334