Family Speaks About $11 M Verdict Against Gulf Marine

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Manuel De La Rosa

Story Created: Jan 19, 2010 at 7:33 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jan 19, 2010 at 7:33 PM CDT

(January 19, 2010)

PORTLAND--A Gregory family has been awarded $11 million by a San Patricio County jury after their loved one was killed in an accident at work. The accident happened nearly 2 years ago at the Gulf Marine Fabricators plant in Ingleside. A jury found the company negligent in the death of 50-year-old Adrian Flores.

The $11 million judgment is a large award. While it won't bring back their loved one, the family hopes this will make companies pay close attention to the safety of their employees.

"I'm happy and I feel the upmost gratitude towards the jury," said Lucinda Flores, Flores' wife, speaking about the verdict handed down by the verdict. 

Back in the spring of 2008, Flores was helping move a 12 hundred ton load. The family's attorney said Gulf Marine didn't have enough cranes to move the load, causing the crane to collapse

It trapped Flores for two and half hours and his wife was never given a chance to speak to him before he died. Two of Flores' daughters were working for the company, but weren't told what happened.

"It was difficult and I'm still not over missing him," said Flores. "Just by the thought of how he suffered bothers me nad not being able to say good bye to him."

"I hope it sends a message to them and their parent company and other companies here that safety rules are here for a reason," said Bill Tinning, the Flores' Family attorney. "No matter how big the project is or money involved, nothing should be prized or given a value higher than the workers and their human life."

Attorneys for gulf marine and its parent company weren't available for comment. It's expected they will appeal this judgment.

Ironically, the two daughters don't work for Gulf Marine anymore. They were laid off after their father's death.

--Manuel De La Rosa, Area 3 News, mdelarosa@kiiitv.com

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Ingleside Resident said on Wednesday, Jan 27 at 12:54 AM

I prayed for the family since day one. I was there the day the accident happened. The whole yard went into a state of silence and hustle to try to save this mans life. The way that lawyer treated some of those employees during this lawsuit was ubeleivable. If ya'll weren't there then you have no idea what happened and really can't say too much about it, beside just making assumptions from a vary vague and untruthful report. Personally they should of sued Gulf Island there in charge of regulation

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Musicman said on Tuesday, Jan 26 at 5:17 PM

Life is a precious gift given to us by our Lord. Ignorance on the part of companies due to their not wanting to spend money to upgrade equipment is not a valid reason for death to be considered an accident. This man's life was taken and the family's loved one was lost. Monetary damages can never replace the loved one but it can sure teach companies that they need to quit being so ignorant. My prayers continue to be with the family of Adrian Flores.

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TO Brendah said on Thursday, Jan 21 at 11:30 AM

If your loved one gets killed by pure stupidity (being lazy and not getting another crane) feel free not to sue because you are scared that the company will leave. If they kill my family members I sure as hell would like to make sure they get punished for something as stupid as what happened.

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to brendah said on Thursday, Jan 21 at 11:27 AM

Suing wont bring him back, but it may prevent the death of your loved one, if they work in that field. Companies could care less that he died. Thats a sad fact. If people dont sue companies they will be more than happy to pull stunts like this again and when someone else dies, "its not their fault". They will keep doing it and more people will die. The only way to prevent it is through money damages.

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brendah said on Thursday, Jan 21 at 8:55 AM

i am very sorry for the family but suing wont bring him back and i am for safety but if people keep sueing down here all the companies will move out and so will the jobs i think people are sue happy in south texas

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Mom 6 said on Wednesday, Jan 20 at 4:22 PM

Gulf Marine is not the only company in Ingleside who pays no attention to the safety of its employees. I know Kiewit Offshore had a supervisor who kept he’s crew up hours working with little sleep. Come to find out this supervisor has been suspended for drug use. His crew has not been paid, company says that the supervisor failed to turn in the paper work. This happened right at Christmas. WATCH KIEWIT YOU may be on the news next.

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Anonymous said on Wednesday, Jan 20 at 4:20 PM

Gulf Marine is not the only company in Ingleside who pays not attentions to the safety of its employees. I know Kiewit Offshore had a supervisor who kept he’s crew up hours working with little sleep. Come to find out this supervisor has been suspended for drug use. His crew has not been paid, company says that the supervisor failed to turn in the paper work. This happened right at Christmas. WATCH KIEWIT YOU may be on the news next.

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to anonymous said on Wednesday, Jan 20 at 4:01 PM

God didnt have anything to do with this. It appears that the company purposely used overloaded cranes because they were too lazy/ cheap to get another one. God also give us brains, but maybe he didnt give you one.

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Anonymous said on Wednesday, Jan 20 at 11:24 AM

I do not believe that anyone is to blame. God takes us when he is ready. No amount of money will ever replace the void his family has in their hearts. Only time and prayers can do this. I pray that this doesn't change who this family is. My prayers are that they stay close in their faith and not allow money and greed to overcome their lives.

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Laura said on Wednesday, Jan 20 at 10:07 AM

Bless lucy and her family...I love you all..

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rick logos said on Wednesday, Jan 20 at 8:59 AM

What a tragic and heart wrenching incident. Most decent folks' hearts reach out to the grieving family. Sad that some only see an opportunity to exercise their rabid racism by commenting on grammar, typos, and the language of the land. Sick puppy!

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hard worker said on Wednesday, Jan 20 at 8:15 AM

gulf marine can pay out this family for all its wrongs,they have made plenty of money thought out the years,taking advantage of there employees underpaying them cut there jobs and not taking care of there employees or contractors,in there yard

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david g.o.m. shelf said on Wednesday, Jan 20 at 8:02 AM

godbless the flores family ,hope you all have justice.and my heart goes out to your whole family

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davido said on Wednesday, Jan 20 at 7:58 AM

ive worked in that shipyard before &its sister yard in houma ,la. these shipyards are some of the most dangerous ive ever worked in as far as management & safety is concerned.to those sitting behind some desk have no right to judge this man I know what preesures where put on this man by gulf marine and the client company behind these projects

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Chuck said on Wednesday, Jan 20 at 1:45 AM

Thank God the Tort Reform fanatics havent taken away this opportunity for the family. Remember this when you hear about the "evil lawsuits". Its likely the pro-business Texas Supreme Court will overturn it, since they vote for businesses 90% of the time.

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timmy290456 said on Wednesday, Jan 20 at 1:43 AM

You missed one, Commentator! How about, "speaking about the verdict handed down by the verdict." Now THAT is great english! Manuel, I know you focus all of your achievements on your ethnic business affiliations, but you might try learning the language of the land (english) first.

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Commentator said on Wednesday, Jan 20 at 1:40 AM

Manuel De La Rosa, Lucinda Flores was saying "uTmost," not "uPmost" as you wrote. Also, the word "and" is spelled just as it sounds, and not "nad," which sounds somewhat vulgar.

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longshoreman said on Tuesday, Jan 19 at 11:23 PM

Bless the Flores family in this judgment. No monetary amount can supplement their father/ husbands presence, however this is an extraordinary testament to righteousness!

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Rosie Saenz said on Tuesday, Jan 19 at 9:21 PM

My sincerest apologies to the Flores family. Of course amount of money will never be enough for the loss of a husband, father, brother and to all who will miss him for the rest of their lives.

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