### Plaintiffs File Negligence Complaint Against Charter Communications and Others
On May 24, 2024, Alejandro Cabrera Vasquez and Juan Manuel Cabrera Vasquez filed a negligence complaint in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, against Charter Communications Inc., Spectrum Gulf Coast LLC, Mastec Network Solutions LLC, J-A-C Electric Cooperative Inc., Pape & Pape LLC d/b/a Drew's Electric, and Juan Francisco Morales.
The plaintiffs allege that on April 3, 2024, while installing communication lines for Charter Communications at a location in Wichita County, Texas, they suffered severe injuries due to negligence on the part of the defendants. The complaint details that overgrown trees obstructed access to utility poles owned by J-A-C Electric Cooperative. While attempting to work around these trees, the plaintiffs' equipment came into contact with high-voltage electrical lines resulting in a severe electric shock injury to Alejandro Cabrera Vasquez. His brother, Juan Manuel Cabrera Vasquez, witnessed the incident and sustained emotional distress as a result.
According to the filing, "Defendant Charter by and through its subsidiaries, partners, and agents has been implementing Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF)-supported installation of high-speed fiberoptic broadband cable." The plaintiffs argue that the defendants failed to maintain safe working conditions by not trimming or removing overgrown trees near electrical distribution lines. Furthermore, they claim that the defendants did not provide adequate safety equipment or training for handling such hazardous tasks.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages for physical pain, mental anguish, disfigurement, physical impairment, medical expenses both past and future, and loss of earning capacity. They also seek compensation for bystander damages experienced by Juan Manuel Cabrera Vasquez due to witnessing his brother's injury.
In their petition for relief under strict liability and negligence claims against J-A-C Electric Cooperative Inc., the plaintiffs assert that "the transmission of electricity is a highly dangerous activity" requiring stringent safety measures which were allegedly neglected. Additionally, they invoke non-delegable duty claims against all defendants including Charter Communications Inc., Spectrum Gulf Coast LLC., Mastec Network Solutions LLC., Pape & Pape LLC d/b/a Drew's Electric citing violations of Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 752.
The case has been assigned Case ID 2024331877 with Judge Marilyn Burgess presiding. Representing the plaintiffs are attorneys Michael D. Stacy and Jesse A. Calderon from Juneau Boll & Stacy PLLC.