A former professional basketball player has filed a lawsuit against his employer, alleging severe negligence and unsafe working conditions that led to significant health issues. Christopher Massie filed the complaint in Harris County District Court on July 19, 2024, against MSF Electric, Inc.
The case centers around Massie's claims of suffering from heat exhaustion and dehydration due to inadequate cooling systems in the defendant's warehouse. Massie, who had been employed by MSF Electric for nearly two years, alleges that the company failed to provide a safe working environment despite his repeated complaints about excessive heat. According to the filing, "Mr. Massie began complaining of the excessive heat due to the grueling work conditions in the Defendant's warehouse," which led to severe dehydration and heat exhaustion.
On June 18, 2024, while performing his duties, Massie's body temperature spiked rapidly, causing him to pass out and sustain injuries to his head and back. He was subsequently diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF), an abnormal heartbeat condition. The plaintiff asserts that these health issues were directly caused by the defendant's failure to address unsafe working conditions. "The constant conditions of heat exhaustion and dehydration from the past two months directly caused Mr. Massie to pass out," states the complaint.
Massie further claims that after his collapse, MSF Electric purchased two new fans but did not communicate or follow up with him regarding his deteriorating condition. The lawsuit accuses MSF Electric of gross negligence and failing to fulfill their duty of care by not providing adequate equipment or warning employees about dangerous conditions at the worksite.
The plaintiff is seeking monetary relief exceeding $1 million for physical pain, mental anguish, medical expenses (both past and future), lost income, impairment, disfigurement, loss of household services and consortium, court costs, expert witness fees, deposition costs, exemplary damages among other compensatory damages. "Plaintiff seeks damages within the jurisdictional limits of the Court in excess of $1 million excluding interest," reads the petition.
Representing Christopher Massie is attorney Luc Nguyen from Clutch Law Group PLLC. The case has been assigned Case ID 2024-45319 in Harris County District Court under Judge Marilyn Burgess.