HOUSTON — A worker is claiming negligence after suffering injuries when a manhole cover blew off due to water pressure.
Robert Rhodes, III filed a complaint Jan. 4 in Harris County District Court against Taylor Utility Services Inc., doing business as Domestic Water Company, Inc., Taylor Utility Services, Inc., doing business as Stanley Lake Municipal Utility District, and Alex Clayton CCML LLC, doing business as Pinnacle Pumping Services Inc., alleging negligence.
According to his complaint, Rhodes was working with co-workers to fix a manhole cover on May 26, 2021. He alleges that as he stood over the manhole opening, he asked for the water pressure to be shut off and instead the water increased, which caused the hose to move uncontrollably and blasted water into the opening of the manhole covering.
Rhodes claims the cover of the manhole struck him in the center of the chest causing him to be lifted several feet off the ground and suffer a fractured sternum, cracked ribs, a bruised heart and back and knee injuries.
He alleges the defendants' negligence for hiring Clayton who was at the time operating a water pumping truck for Pinnacle and for failing to properly train or supervise Clayton. He also alleges Clayton's negligence for operating the water pump truck while distracted.
Rhodes seeks monetary relief, trial by jury and all other just relief. He is represented by Steve Kherkher, Ryan MacLeod, Matt Martin and Mohammad Abdel-Rahman in Houston.
Harris County District Court case number 2022-00602