In a gripping legal battle unfolding in Texas, a plaintiff has filed a lawsuit against two companies following a severe workplace accident. Jessie Sanchez, the plaintiff, initiated the complaint on January 17, 2025, in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, targeting Diamond Pump & Transport LLC and Maverick Permian LLC as defendants.
The case centers around an incident that occurred on August 14, 2024. Sanchez was dispatched to a wellsite operated by Maverick Permian LLC in Ector County, Texas. The task involved assisting Diamond Pump & Transport LLC with treating frac tanks. According to the petition, while Sanchez was filling and transporting buckets of chemicals for use on these tanks, a catastrophic fire broke out due to spilled chemicals. The blaze severely burned Sanchez after fumes from one of the frac tanks ignited unexpectedly.
Sanchez alleges that both companies exhibited negligence leading to his injuries. The complaint outlines several accusations against Diamond Pump & Transport LLC including failure to maintain safe operations and properly ground their hot oil truck which allegedly caused static discharge igniting the fire. Similarly, Maverick Permian LLC is accused of failing to ensure safe operational procedures at their facility and not adequately warning about or mitigating known dangers.
The lawsuit claims that both defendants retained control over the means and methods of work performed at the site and had actual knowledge of potential hazards but failed to act responsibly. This alleged negligence forms the basis for Sanchez's claim under the doctrine of respondeat superior—holding employers accountable for their employees' actions during employment.
Seeking justice for his ordeal, Sanchez demands compensation exceeding $1 million for medical expenses incurred and anticipated future costs due to ongoing treatment needs stemming from his injuries. He also seeks damages for physical pain, mental anguish, disfigurement, and impairment suffered as a result of this tragic event.
Representing Jessie Sanchez are attorneys W. Lamar DeLong and Misha J. Paltiyevich from Zehl & Associates PC based in Houston. The case is presided over by Judge Jarod Stirrup under Case ID 2025-03703 in Harris County's 80th Judicial District Court.