David Esparza has filed a lawsuit against two major corporations, alleging severe negligence that led to his personal injury at a worksite. The complaint was lodged on January 23, 2025, in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, naming Occidental Petroleum Corporation and Sharp Roustabout & Construction, LLC as defendants. Esparza claims that the companies' failure to maintain safe working conditions resulted in a catastrophic accident that left him with significant injuries.
According to the details of the case, David Esparza was injured on January 10, 2025, while working at an oil and gas drilling location in West Texas. This site was owned or controlled by Occidental Petroleum Corporation and Sharp Roustabout & Construction. During his work, a heavy piece of equipment fell onto Esparza's hand and arm, causing traumatic injuries including crushed fingers and a torn tendon. The plaintiff accuses the defendants of multiple counts of negligence such as failing to properly secure equipment, rushing work without addressing safety concerns, and not providing adequate training or supervision for workers. "Defendants’ negligent acts include allowing a polished rod clamp and rod to fall from above where people were working," states the petition.
Esparza's legal team argues that these failures constitute gross negligence and intentional torts because the defendants knowingly created hazardous conditions with inadequate staffing and equipment. They claim that any reasonable company would have foreseen the potential for catastrophic mistakes under such unsafe conditions. As a result of these alleged oversights and conscious indifference to safety protocols, Esparza is seeking compensation for his physical injuries as well as exemplary damages due to what he describes as reckless disregard for worker safety.
The lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $1 million for various forms of harm including past and future medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, mental anguish, impairment, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of household services, consortium losses, court costs, deposition costs, interest on damages both pre-judgment and post-judgment as well as other relief deemed just by the court. Esparza also demands a jury trial to address these grievances.
Representing David Esparza are attorneys Nicholas A. Morrow (State Bar No. 24051088), John D. Sheppard (State Bar No. 24051331), and Michael R. Null (State Bar No. ZA26251) from Morrow & Sheppard LLP based in Houston. The case has been filed under Case ID: 2025-04656 in the 152nd Judicial District Court presided over by Judge Taiasha Bradford.