A jury in the Laredo area recently awarded $281 million in a wrongful death case to the family of a man who was killed in an accident involving a tractor-trailer owned by a wastewater company. The award is one of the largest of its kind in Texas. If you have suffered the loss of a loved one, The Durham Law Firm may be able to help you obtain the compensation to which you are entitled.
How the Accident Took Place
On May 29, 2012, according to a story in the El Paso Business Journal, Carlos Aguilar was traveling down FM 133 in Dimmit County, Texas. A driveshaft fell off a vehicle owned by Heckmann Water Resources and struck Aguilar in the face after passing through his windshield. Aguilar later died in a hospital the same day. On December 7 of last year, a jury found that Heckmann was responsible for Aguilar’s death due to negligence, and awarded the amount to the plaintiffs, which included Aguilar’s wife, five children and parents. The family also sued the driver of the truck but the jury absolved him of any negligence. According to the lawsuit, Heckmann was negligent in properly maintaining the tractor-trailer and was responsible for Aguilar’s wrongful death as a result.
The accident occurred in the Eagle Ford Shale, an area that produces a large amount of oil and natural gas. While the shale has been a boon to the South Texas economy, the result is a substantial increase in semi-truck travel – as well as an increase in traffic deaths.
Unfortunately, we hear tragic stories all too often of accidents involving tractor-trailers in North Texas as well. When this happens, there may be several parties that played a role in causing it. At The Durham Law Firm, we can help determine all the negligent parties and help you file a wrongful death lawsuit against those who robbed you of your loved one and caused immeasurable suffering. Give us a call at 214-222-4000 or contact us online if you would like to spam with an attorney.
