Asbestos supervisor sues Motiva after fire erupts, Brent Coon handling case

BEAUMONT – An asbestos supervisor is suing Motiva Enterprises for injuries he suffered after a fire erupted.

Through Beaumont attorney Brent Coon, Joshual McElroy filed his suit Aug. 8 in Jefferson County District Court. Greg Lucchesi is also named as a defendant.

According to the lawsuit, the fire occurred Aug. 3 at Motiva’s Port Arthur facility. McElroy was working as an asbestos supervisor for Excel Modular Scaffolding at the time.

He and his crew were charged with abating asbestos from a line 60 feet in the air. Two members were washing off the asbestos fibers in the area as McElroy began to descend when he heard a pop of fire igniting overhead and was thrown backward, violently striking “something” with the back of his neck.

“He looked upward to see his friend… engulfed in flames,” the suit states, adding the McElroy went back for his friend and helped him get to safety.

The suit contends Motiva may have failed to do a routine check for any gas leaks in the area.

McElroy claims he suffered injuries to his neck and now suffers from PTSD.

Seeking more than $75,000 in damages, he is suing for his past and future medical expenses, pain, impairment, mental anguish, disfigurement and lost earnings. Click to read the full story