Texas Jury Issues One of Largest Wrongful Death Verdicts in State History
According to a report from Law.com, a jury in Houston recently issued one of the largest wrongful death verdicts in the history of the State of Texas. The family of a man who died at a San Antonio construction site was awarded $640 million, including nearly $500 million in punitive damages. The defendant—TNT Crane & Rigging—was deemed grossly negligent. Here, our Sugar Land wrongful death attorney provides a more detailed overview of the fatal accident and the jury verdict.
An Overview of the Wrongful Death Verdict: Construction Accident in San Antonio
A horrible construction accident happened at a worksite in San Antonio in 2021. David Loree II, a journeyman pipefitter, tragically lost his life while working on the construction of the College of Business and Library building at the Texas A&M University–San Antonio location. During the installation of HVAC units on the fourth floor, a top-heavy unit was being lifted by a crane operated by TNT Crane & Rigging. Despite wind gusts reaching up to 45 miles per hour—which were far above the 25 mph safety threshold—the lift proceeded. Unfortunately, the unstable load toppled during the hoist and crushed Mr. Loree. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following the deadly construction accident, Mr. Loree’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against multiple defendants, including TNT Crane & Rigging. While other defendants settled, the case against TNT Crane & Rigging went to trial. After full wrongful death litigation, a Harris County jury awarded nearly $160 million in compensatory damages to the family. Beyond that, the jury awarded an additional $480 million in punitive damages. It is one of the largest wrongful death awards in the history of Texas. The jury found TNT Crane & Rigging grossly negligent.
What to Know About Wrongful Death Laws in Texas
The loss of a loved one to a fatal accident is a terrible tragedy. Although nothing could ever truly be enough to make up for such a heartbreaking loss, grieving families have the right to seek justice, accountability, and financial compensation through a civil wrongful death lawsuit. In Texas, wrongful death laws allow certain family members to file a lawsuit when a loved one dies due to another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional act. The eligible claimants may include the deceased’s spouse, children, and parents (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.004). Damages may cover lost income, loss of companionship, mental anguish, and funeral costs. There is a two-year statute of limitations to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Texas.
Consult With Our Sugar Land, TX Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
At Henrietta Ezeoke Law Firm, our Sugar Land wrongful death attorney is a compassionate, experienced advocate for grieving families. If you lost a loved one to a fatal accident, we are here as a legal resource that you can trust. Give us a call now or contact us online for a completely confidential, no obligation initial consultation. With offices in Missouri City and Houston, we represent families in wrongful death cases throughout Southeast Texas.
Sources:
statutes.capitol.texas.gov/docs/cp/htm/cp.71.htm
law.com/texaslawyer/2025/05/14/houston-jury-awards-640m-in-one-of-texas-largest-wrongful-death-verdicts/?slreturn=20250522-42920
