Texas Lawyers

January 18, 1993

Jury awards damages to family of longshoreman

By Brenda Sapino

Pearlie Mac Neal, et al. v. Kompco: Houston's Helm, Pletcher, Hogan, Bowen & Saunders won a judgment for the family of a Houston longshoreman who died when he was struck by a 4 - ton shipping container that fell from a crane.

Judge Hugo Touchy of the 129th District court in Harris County signed a final judgment Dec. 15 awarding Paul Neal's widow , Pearlie Mae, in past and future damages, including prejudgment interest, and awarding each of he couple's five adult sons judgments in past and future damages, including in prejudgment interest.

The judgment indicates the Port of Houston Authority is responsible for statutory damages, while defendant Paceco Inc., a subsidiary of Fruehauf Corp., is jointly and severally liable for the remainder.

The plaintiffs were represented by John W. Tavormina and associate Richard P. Hogan Jr.

The Port of Houston Authority was represented by Phillip Dye and Danny Van Winkle, both partners in Houston’s Vinson & Elkins.

Attorneys for Paceco were John Lancaster III, a partner in Jackson & Walker of Dallas, and former Jackson & Walker associate Keith Trent, now a shareholder in Dallas’ O’Neil, Snell. Banowsky & McClure.

Lancaster said he will appeal the judgment.