By: Adrian Angelette, June 23, 2005
An East Baton Rouge Parish jury has awarded $5.4 million to a brain damaged Pierre Part man for injuries suffered while on the job.
The incident that led to the injuries occurred on Sept. 22, 1999, while Felicien Sanchez, 52, was working at the Air Liquide Process and Construction Inc. plant in Geismar.
Sanchez's attorney, Locke Meredith of Baton Rogue, said Sanchez was working in the plant while a company - ITEQ Tank Services - was testing a 3-inch PVC pipe.
During the testing, Meredith said the pipe and a metal spigot exploded, sending pieces of debris flying.
Some of the flying debris hit Sanchez in the left forehead, fracturing some bones in his face and causing his brain to bleed, Meredith said.
Brain cells in the area of the injury also died, leaving behind a hole in Sanchez's brain, Meredith said.
During the trial, doctors who have evaluated Sanchez testified that he is severely injured and the injuries will remain.
"All of the doctors testified that he will never work again and he will need someone to care for him for the rest of his life," Meredith said.
Sanchez was "also rendered childlike," Meredith said, and will have the mental and emotional capacity of a 10-year-old boy.
Meredith said that before the trial began ITEQ admitted it was negligent in the way it tested the pipe and because it did not clear away all people while the tests were being performed.
The trial was held to determine the extent of Sanchez's injuries and to award damages, Meredith said.
Meredith said he had a choice of venues for the trial because of the location of the companies involved and he chose East Baton Rouge Parish.
The jury awarded the damages Tuesday evening after deliberating for about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
