South Carolina Personal Injury Law Firm Blog

$82 Million Awarded In Gas Explosion Death

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

The family of a 27-year-old man killed in a natural gas processing plant explosion has been awarded $82.5 million by a Houston jury, according to Mineral Wells Index.com.  The man died of injuries sustained when a hot oil heater he was attempting to light exploded. 

The jury found Houston based Exterran Energy Solutions LP grossly negligent in the 2007 death of the young husband and father of three for failing to properly construct the heater and to ensure it met industry safety standards.  According to the lawsuit, it was known in 2005 the hot oil heater did not meet industry standards for mechanisms to keep gas accumulation from the burners. 

The award was distributed as $10 million to his widow and $15 million to each of his children – ages 2, 5, and 7 years old for actual damages for past and future financial loss, companionship loss and mental anguish.  Another $25 million was awarded to his wife and children in punishment damages because the company was found to be grossly negligent in the death.  His father received $2.5 million for mental anguish and loss of companionship.

A “wrongful death” is a death caused by the carelessness (negligence) or misconduct of another person or organization. The Louthian Law Firm has vast experience in pursuing wrongful death lawsuits.  Call us today at 1-800-410-5656 for a free evaluation of your unique case.

$82M Wrongful Death

Labels: WrongfulDeath

Posted by Your Lawyer 9:00 am