Firm partner Benny Agosto, Jr. files suit on behalf of Benjamin Portillo, a critically injured construction worker for negligence, gross negligence, negligent entrustment, imputed liability, and premises liability, seeking monetary relief of more than $10 million from Gilbane Building Company, Sunstate Equipment Co., LLC, and Derik Matejka, II. According to the lawsuit, the construction worker was run over by a 9000-pound truck at the Cain Garage construction site located at Texas A&M University’s campus.
Eager to finish the project before the impending football season, Texas A&M broke ground on the Cain Parking Garage in late 2015. While on duty at the construction site, Portillo was working in a shallow hole to break up rock and make way for light poles installed along the perimeter of the garage. The construction worker’s head and upper body were left exposed above the hole that had no barriers set up around it. As a truck driver employed by Sunstate exited the construction site, he drove over the exposed hole in front of him, crushing Portillo underneath his tire. Portillo was pulled out of the hole by other workers and rushed to the hospital where he was treated for severe injuries to his brain and back.
According to the lawsuit, the Sunstate driver failed to navigate the truck safely around the busy construction site. The lawsuit also claims that Gilbane, as the project’s general contractor, failed to properly supervise the construction site, manage onsite traffic, and provide necessary safety barricades to protect workers like Portillo.
Poorly managed construction sites can cause horrific injuries to dedicated workers. If you or someone you know has been injured on a construction site, it is important to find a skilled law firm with experience handling these cases to ensure that companies are held fully accountable. The law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner is the oldest personal injury firm in Texas, and our attorneys are standing by to assist with your claim. Call us today at 713-742-6007 or 888-228-8054 for your free consultation.