Bresee v. Midwestern Pipeline Services, Inc
- Resolution Date:
- July 2004
- Practice Areas:
- Industrial Accidents
- Synopsis:
- Richard Bresee, a 59-year-old quality control inspector, worked for Napa Pipe Company ensuring the quality of large steel pipes at their facility. He was also responsible for inspecting internal pipe coatings applied by Midwestern Pipeline Services, Inc. On March 21, 2002, Bresee was following company procedure when he marked the outside of a defective pipe with chalk. When his chalk broke, Bresee left to retrieve another piece of chalk and then returned to finish the markings. The Midwestern employee controlling the hydraulic lift did not follow safety procedures and lowered a pipe without checking to make sure that no one was in the way. Despite three prior serious injuries, Midwestern did not attempt to have any safety meetings with Napa personnel. The improperly lowered pipe suddenly kicked back towards the pipe Bresee was marking. The collision between the two pipes crushed Bresee's right hand. At the hospital, doctors treated severe damage to his middle finger and amputated his right thumb and forefinger. Bresee was unable to return to his occupation. The matter settled at the conclusion of Bresee's case-in-chief at trial.
- Attorneys:
-
William L. Veen
Kevin Lancaster
Eustace de Saint Phalle - Resolution:
- $1.7 Million