A worker from Oklahoma has filed a lawsuit against three companies following an incident that left him with severe injuries. The complaint was lodged by Miguel Valle in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, on October 16, 2024, targeting Oxy USA Inc., Stallion Infrastructure Services, Ltd., and Johnson Specialty Tools, LLC. Valle claims negligence on the part of these companies led to his accident while he was working at a rig site in Midland, Texas.
According to the details outlined in the court filing, Miguel Valle was employed by Helmerich & Payne, Inc. and was performing duties at Rig 427 on October 25, 2023. The rig site is owned and operated by Oxy USA Inc., while equipment involved in the incident was managed by Stallion Infrastructure Services and Johnson Specialty Tools. As Valle crossed the yard to fetch a vacuum truck driver for maintenance work on mud pumps, he reportedly stepped on an electrified cable connected to faulty equipment owned by the defendants. This resulted in an electrical shock that knocked him down.
Valle's legal team argues that all three companies failed in their duty of care by not ensuring safe working conditions and adequately inspecting their equipment. "Defendants Stallion Infrastructure Services and Johnson Specialty Tools failed to thoroughly inspect and verify that their equipment was satisfactory and safe," states the complaint. Furthermore, it accuses Oxy USA Inc. of failing to supervise operations safely as they were responsible for managing the site.
The lawsuit alleges negligence under several counts including failure to provide a safe workplace, lack of proper training and supervision of employees, inadequate safety measures for electrical wiring and generators, among others. Valle’s attorneys argue that these oversights directly contributed to his severe injuries which have necessitated extensive medical treatment with more expected in the future.
Valle seeks damages exceeding $1 million as compensation for medical expenses incurred so far and anticipated future costs due to ongoing treatment needs. He also claims damages for physical pain and suffering both past and future; mental anguish; loss of earnings; physical impairment; disfigurement; cost of medical monitoring; exemplary damages; along with any other relief deemed just by the court.
Representing Miguel Valle are attorneys Ryan H. Zehl and Justin C. Warner from Zehl & Associates PC based in Houston, Texas. The case is being presided over by judges from Harris County’s 133rd Judicial District Court under Case ID: 2024-72206.