HOUSTON – A wrongful death lawsuit has been brought against Georgia Pacific and several other companies.
Seeking more than $1 million in damages, the widow of Guillermo Torres filed the suit on May 27 in Harris County District Court, also naming Panel Products, Koch Industries, the Hyster-Yale Group and Allied Systems as defendants.
According to the lawsuit, on Dec. 18 Torres was working for Georgia Pacific at its Particle Board Plant. As he operated a forklift, the front left tire struck the corner of a concrete base and metal pole, flipping the forklift on its side.
“Decedent was ejected from the forklift and crushed between the forklift’s cage and the ground, causing fatal injuries,” the suit states.
Hyster designed, manufactured and sold the alleged defective forklift. Allied Systems designed, manufactured and sold the alleged defective fork positioner and side shifter on the forklift.
Georgia Pacific is accused of negligence and gross negligence.
The plaintiff is represented by Muhammad Aziz, David Baluk and Alicia Roberson, attorneys for the Houston law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner.
Attorney Andrew Dao of Daly & Black is also representing the plaintiff.