Darrell Wilson, an oil industry pump mechanic, was working on a pump at Salinas Oil Company when the pump exploded and a large ball valve flew off, impaling and disemboweling Wilson. He sued Salinas for failure to install a pressure relief valve on the pump system, and Salinas cross complained against our client American Pipe & Tubing (APT). Salinas settled with plaintiffs for $5.65 million right before APT’s Motion for Summary Judgment was heard, but Salinas refused to dismiss APT. Summary Judgment was granted in favor of our client, APT, on Salinas’ cross complaint, and the trial court awarded all costs and fees to APT, approximately $206,000.00. Salinas appealed, and the Court of Appeals affirmed the Judgment and award of costs, though it reduced the amount of fees remanding that issue to the trial court for further hearing.
