Marcianno Sauceda has filed a compelling lawsuit against multiple defendants, alleging negligence and gross negligence in connection with the tragic death of his brother, Santos Sauceda-Gomez. The complaint was filed on January 23, 2025, in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, naming Oscar Camilo Bustos, Daniel A. Rodriguez, and John Doe Company as defendants.
The lawsuit stems from an incident that occurred on April 13, 2023, when Santos Sauceda-Gomez fell to his death while working as a tree pruner at a property owned by Daniel A. Rodriguez in Humble, Texas. According to the plaintiff's original petition, Marciano Sauceda claims that his brother was hired by Oscar Camilo Bustos and his company, John Doe Company, who were contracted by Rodriguez for tree services at the location. The plaintiff argues that the defendants failed to provide a safe working environment and were negligent in their duties to ensure safety measures were in place.
In the detailed account of the events leading up to Santos's death, Marciano alleges several failures on the part of the defendants. These include failing to provide a safe work environment, creating hazardous conditions, inadequate training and supervision of employees, and neglecting to maintain safety equipment and procedures. Furthermore, it is claimed that neither Bustos nor Rodriguez had workers' compensation coverage at the time of the incident.
Marciano Sauceda is seeking over $1 million in damages for both himself and as a representative of his late brother's estate. The damages sought include compensation for past and future mental anguish, loss of companionship and society, funeral expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, medical expenses incurred due to the incident, and exemplary damages due to gross negligence.
The case is being handled by attorneys Jack Nugent and M. Paul Skrabanek from Pierce | Skrabanek PLLC. The case has been assigned Case ID 2025-04436 in Harris County’s 125th Judicial District Court.