$1,000,000 Jury Verdict for Houston Concrete Truck Driver With Severe Hand Injury
In July 2000, our client Devin F., a 39-year-old concrete truck driver, suffered a serious hand injury while cleaning his truck in Houston, Texas.
He was standing on a wash rack attached to the truck when the rubber glove on his left hand became caught between the rotating concrete drum and a steel rollover bar. His hand was pulled into the unguarded space and severely crushed.
Our client filed a product liability lawsuit against Continental Equipment Manufacturing Company, alleging that the concrete truck’s defective design exposed workers to an unreasonable risk of injury.
Severe Hand Injury and Permanent Nerve Damage
Although his hand was not broken, the crushing injury caused serious damage. He later developed reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), a chronic neurological condition also known as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
The condition caused severe pain, excessive sweating, and other symptoms affecting his hand and arm. Our client’s position is that the nerve damage is permanent and will cause lifelong pain.
After the accident, he was unable to return to work and relied on workers’ compensation benefits to support his two sons, who were 12 and 14 years old. The defense disputed the severity of his injury and argued that he could return to gainful employment.
His claimed damages included past and future medical expenses, lost earnings, physical impairment, and pain and suffering.
How Joe Stephens Challenged the Truck’s Defective Design
Houston personal injury attorney Joe Stephens represented our client in his lawsuit against Continental Equipment Manufacturing Company. The lawsuit alleged that the manufacturer failed to address a dangerous pinch point between the rotating drum and the truck’s rollover bar, located just seven inches from the wash rack.
Our client argued that Continental Equipment knew how to design safer trucks because it manufactured other models with greater clearance between these components. The manufacturer denied responsibility, arguing that warning signs and the owner’s manual identified the danger. It also claimed our client failed to pay attention while performing his work.
Joe Stephens presented evidence concerning the truck’s design, the dangerous machinery, and the lasting impact of our client’s injuries.
Case Outcome: $1 Million Jury Damages Award
Before trial, the defense offered $30,000 to settle the case. Our client’s demand was $1,000,000.
A Harris County jury determined that his damages totaled $1,000,000. The jury assigned 51% responsibility to the truck’s design and 49% to our client. The court applied comparative fault to reduce the damages and awarded prejudgment interest. The original case account also records a post-trial challenge filed by the defense.
The Stephens Law Firm’s case results records identify $335,928 as the amount our client received after fees and expenses. The case demonstrates Joe Stephens’ experience pursuing compensation for workers injured by dangerous machinery and defective commercial vehicle designs.
Injured by Defective Equipment? Contact Joe Stephens
Dangerous machinery and defective vehicle components can cause lasting injuries, chronic pain, and loss of income.
Joe Stephens is a double board-certified personal injury lawyer with over 40 years of experience handling complex injury claims across Texas.
If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries involving unsafe equipment or a commercial vehicle in Houston, Katy, Marshall, or elsewhere in Texas, contact The Stephens Law Firm for a free consultation.
No legal fees unless Joe wins your case. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Every case depends on its specific facts and circumstances.