Two Texas men were awarded huge financial settlements against two companies that haul water to hydraulic fracturing, or fracking sites. The two settlements totaled $11.7 million for the men and their families.
The first accident occurred on June 22, 2011, when a semi-trailer was blocking the right of way on a state highway near Carthage, Texas. Mike Allen crashed into a heavy truck, which was owned by Coraopolis, Pennsylvania-based Heckmann Water Resources. The truck was stopped on the road with no signals or flashing lights to alert vehicles.
Mr. Allen is no longer able to financially support his wife and young daughter because of the injuries he sustained in the wreck. On June 22, 2013, the court approved a settlement in which Heckmann agreed to pay Mr. Allen and his family $8.7 million.
The second settlement is from a September 11, 2011 truck crash near Weatherford, Texas, which resulted in brain damage. Arron Gomas, 32, broadsided a tractor-trailer owned by Weatherford-based Bob Phillips Trucking (also called Phillips Water Hauling) as the truck’s driver attempted to make an illegal U-turn just before midnight.
Mr. Gomas and his family were awarded $3 million on June 13, 2013. The $3 million award was the maximum payout available from the trucking company’s insurance carrier.
It is believed that the oil and gas boom increases the danger in the roadways.
Feel free to contact one of our Gacovino Lake attorneys at 1-800-246-HURT (4878) for more information.
