Type of Case: Refinery Explosion, Wrongful Death

Summary: The surviving spouse of an employee who died of burns from an oil refinery explosion, Charlie Hall, sued his employer, Diamond Shamrock Refining Co. for exemplary damages based on gross negligence.

Jury Verdict: $42.5 million

Type of Case: Wrongful Termination

Summary: The former employee sued his employer for wrongful termination. The employee claimed he was fired for refusing to perform an illegal act. The jury returned a verdict for $800,000 in actual damages and $10 million in punitive damages. The trial court entered judgment as a matter of law for the employer. The employee appealed. The Fifth Circuit affirmed the trial court in a 2-1 decision. Klumpe v. IBP, 309 F. 3d 279 (5th Cir. 2002).

Result: $10.8 million

Type of Case: RICO Judgment

Summary: Civil federal racketeering judgment after jury trial for $10,680,000.00 in RICO damages against defendants which included a New York Stock Exchange public company.

Result: $10.68 million

Type of Case: Hydrogen Sulfide Gas Inhalation

Summary: A farm hand suffered debilitating pulmonary injuries after inhaling hydrogen sulfide gas. The farm hand sued the oil and gas operator. The trial court entered a $2.4 million judgment based on the jury verdict. In an unpublished opinion, the court of appeals reversed and remanded for trial on a charge error. The case settled confidentially before retrial.

Result: $2.4 million

Type of Case: Firework Injury, Loss of Eye

Summary: A manufacturer built a firework missile that failed consumer safety tests, but the manufacturer sold the missile anyway. The missile put out the eye of a minor child after it was lit by an adult from a very safe distance.

Result: $2.25 million


$1.44 million to clients; $800,441 in attorney fees and expenses

Type of Case: Truck Collision, Wrongful Death

Summary: A truck driver changed lanes into our client and ran her into the opposite lane of traffic resulting in a head-on collision. The client died leaving a husband and three minor children.

Result: $1.8 million


$1.399 million to clients; $420,983 in attorney fees and expenses

Type of Case: Truck Collision, Wrongful Death

Summary: A drunk truck driver killed a husband and father of three minor children. Our attorneys helped secure the family’s financial future. The district attorney prosecuted the driver who pled guilty to criminally negligent homicide and was sentenced to prison.

Result: $1.7 million


$1.15 million to clients; $566,817 in attorney fees and expenses

Type of Case: Medical Malpractice & Product Liability Resulting in Paralysis

Summary: Multiple attempts to repair aortic coarctation on minor child by elective surgery in non-pediatric facility with excessive cross-clamp times and air embolism from cell-saver device. This surgical disaster caused the child to be left paraplegic from the waist down.

Result: $1.54 million + Confidential Amount


$1.495 million to clients; ???

Type of Case: Gas Pipeline Explosion, Burn Injuries

Summary: Two irrigation workers were repairing a water line when a live gas line, that was supposed to be shut off, exploded in close proximity to the men. Both workers sustained burns over 30% of their body.

Result: $1.1 million


$628,858 to clients: $570,119 in attorney fees and expenses

Type of Case: Truck Collision, Brain Damage

Summary: This was an intersectional collision on difficult liability facts. The client sustained a traumatic brain injury. The case settled during the second day of trial.

Result: :$1.1 million


$715,650 to clients; $384,350 in attorney fees and expenses