Webb County Jury Finds Killam Oil Co., LTD. Negligent

Laredo, Texas -- On May 25, 2005, after deliberating less than an hour and a half, a unanimous Webb County jury awarded the Plaintiff's verdict. "The jury concluded that Killam Oil Co., Ltd. was negligent for transporting oilfield waste in an unsafe manner that caused harm to innocent people driving on public highways," said lead attorney Mikal C. Watts.

On July 15, 2003, a Killam truck carrying oilfield waste from a lease location to "temporary storage" on the ground at Killam's former refinery in Mirando City dumped hundreds of gallons of waste across the entire westbound lane of Highway 359. Moments later, Margarita Martinez encountered the hazard, lost control, skidded across opposing lanes of traffic and came to rest in a culvert on the opposite side of the roadway. Although Killam employees parked less than 100 feet from the roadway claimed they did not see the oil, Killam's lawyers still blamed Ms. Martinez at trial. The jury did not find her negligent.

"Killam Oil Co., Ltd. owed the public a duty to ensure that materials that they transported from one site to another were secure and would not cause any dangers to the public," said Bryan Harris.

Juan Enrique Mejia added that "the jury must have been appalled by Killam's complete lack of care and the huge credibility gaps in its defense."

Watts and his law firm have been at the forefront of personal injury lawsuits throughout the nation. "The terrible injuries that the Plaintiffs suffered and the impact that it has had on their lives did not go unnoticed by the jury," said Watts.

Watts Law Firm, L.L.P., partners, Mikal C. Watts and Juan Enrique Mejia and Harris Mejia partner Bryan K. Harris tried the case for the plaintiffs. Killam Oil Co, Ltd was represented at trial by Patricia Alvarez with Alvarez, Notzon & Gutierrez, L.L.P. of Laredo, Texas.