HOUSTON - An area resident is suing Sam’s Auto Salvage for burns he received after being asked to pour gasoline on to a trash pile “located dangerously close to an already burning fire.”
Seeking more than $1 million in damages, Sherwin Collymore filed his suit on Dec. 29 in Harris County District Court.
According to the lawsuit, on Dec. 7, 2023, Collymore was performing work as an independent contractor at a facility owned by Sam’s Auto Salvage when he was asked to “pour gasoline onto a trash pile located dangerously close to an already burning fire.”
“Suddenly and without warning, the flames from the nearby fire lit up the trash pile…,” the suit states. “The flames quickly traveled all the way up to the gasoline can Collymore was holding and the gasoline exploded, violently throwing (him) backwards to the ground.
“As a result, Mr. Collymore suffered severe and excruciatingly painful third and second-degree burns to his right arm and face which he is still struggling with to this day.”
The plaintiff is accusing the defendant of negligently placing him in a dangerous situation.
He is suing for his past and future lost wages, medical expenses, pain, mental anguish, impairment and disfigurement.
The Houston law firm of Armstrong Lee & Baker represents him.
Case No. 2023-88896