HOUSTON — The family of a roofer who suffered a fatal fall at a worksite in Houston is claiming negligence.
Valarie Barraza, individually and as representative of the Estate of Carlos Rodrigo Lugo and Jason Bridges filed a complaint Aug. 10 in Harris County District Court against 5021 Canal LLC, NH Canal GP LLC, Cive Inc., and Tony's Wholesale Supply Company LLC doing business as Tony's Bar Supply alleging negligence.
Barraza is the wife of the decedent Carlos Lugo and Bridges is his nephew, according to the plaintiffs' complaint. They allege that Lugo and Bridges were performing work for Cive at a building on Canal Street in Houston owned by the defendants on Aug. 3, 2021. The plaintiffs claim that while doing roof repairs, Lugo fell through the roof and fell "many feet" onto the concrete pavement which resulted in his death.
The plaintiffs further claim that Lugo was not given any training, safety instructions or protective equipment and that Cive paid Lugo in cash to avoid workers' compensation requirements. They allege that the defendants failed to comply with safety regulations or maintain applicable safety practices. The plaintiffs also allege Lugos was not properly supervised and that the defendants failed to maintain a workplace free from hazards and created a "dangerous condition in the state of the roof" at the time of Lugo's fall.
The plaintiffs seek monetary relief of more than $1 million, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by Steve Kherkher, Ryan MacLeod and Matt Martin of Kherkher Garcia LLP in Houston and Kimberly Bruno of The Bruno Law Group PLLC in Houston.
Harris County District Court case number 2021-48975