Spence Law Firm LLC: Jury Awards Wyo. Man $5.1 Million for Oil Field Injuries

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Jul 09, 2014, 04:58 ET

JACKSON, Wyo., July 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A Wyoming state court jury awarded more than $5.1 million to an oilfield worker who was seriously injured in a mismanaged oil well maintenance operation, The Spence Law Firm said today.

The legal team for Blake Horr, of Douglas, Wyo., alleged that he sustained serious and permanent injuries on April 11, 2011 in a "work-over operation" at a Merit Energy-controlled, owned and operated well site at the Lost Soldier Unit in Bairoil, Wyo.

Evidence was presented in the District Court of Sweetwater County that Merit's "company man" ordered Mr. Horr's crew to perform maintenance operations without ensuring the well was safe from trapped pressure between the blowout preventer stack and rubber wellhead components.

Mr. Horr suffered shattered bones and severed nerves when a rubber component shot out of the CO2-injected well into his left hand and arm.

Defendant Merit Energy asserted that the entire incident was the responsibility of Mr. Horr's employer, Basic Energy Services, Inc. After eight days of evidence and argument, and a day of deliberations, the jury found that Merit Energy was negligent and assessed 45 percent of the liability to Merit Energy, 45 percent to Basic Energy Services, Inc., and 10 percent to Mr. Horr.

The jury awarded Mr. Horr past and future medical expenses, economic losses and lost earning capacity, and damages for pain, suffering, disability and loss of enjoyment of life. With limited use of his left arm and hand, Mr. Horr can no longer take on work requiring bilateral dexterity.

G. Bryan Ulmer and Grant H. Lawson of The Spence Law Firm, LLC, of Jackson, Wyo., represent Mr. Horr.

Bryan Ulmer said, "Our region's oil and gas fields are extraordinarily productive but also dangerous. We hope this jury's verdict sends a message that more must be done to improve and prioritize worker safety in our oilfields and prevent the tragedies Blake and other workers have endured."

Grant Lawson said, "Blake is an exceptional young man who will be disabled for the rest of his working life. This verdict will help him to get the medical treatment and support he will need to rebuild his life and find a new career path. We are grateful for the hard work of the court and jury in this case."

The case is "Blake Horr v. Merit Energy Company, LLC," Case CV-2012-584-L in the District Court of Sweetwater County, Wyoming, Third Judicial District.

Contact: Erin Powers, Powers MediaWorks LLC, for The Spence Law Firm, LLC, 281.703.6000, [email protected].

SOURCE The Spence Law Firm, LLC