Ernesto R. Tamez and Maria Tamez v. Maxim Crane Works, L.P.

Ernesto Tamez sued Maxim Crane Works on a negligence theory claiming that he was severely injured in an industrial accident at BP's oil refinery in Texas City, Texas on January 18, 2006, when he was struck by an oil burner being lifted by a Maximum Crane Works crane operator. Mr. Tamez suffered crushing injuries to his ribs, back, neck and shoulder, and endured extensive surgeries to repair the damage.



Mr. Tamez was supervising a job at the BP plant on Jan. 18, 2006, when he was struck by an oil burner being lifted by a Maximum Crane Works crane operator. Mr. Tamez suffered crushing injuries to his ribs, back, neck and shoulder, and endured extensive surgeries to repair the damage.



Trial evidence showed that the crane operator lifted the oil burner without waiting on a signal from anyone that the area was clear, and also moved the crane boom in such a way that it was out of alignment with the load, contributing to the accident.



The defenses asserted by Defendant are not available.

Plaintiffs' verdict for $1.72 million. The Galveston jury found Maxim Crane Works 100 percent liable for the injuries sustained by Mr. Tamez. The verdict includes $300,000 in lost wages, $550,000 in medical expenses and $170,000 to the injured worker's wife. Prior to trial, Maxim Crane Works made no settlement offers.