Trial Activity

Jesse James Gutierrez v. Jose Juan Betancourt and Wackenhut Corporation, Cause No. 27-662, in the 63rd Judicial District Court of Val Verde County, Texas, Judge Enrique Fernandez presiding.

Partners Jaime A. Saenz and Lecia L. Chaney defended Wackenhut and the individual defendant employee who had been operating a Wackenhut Corporation bus in the course and scope of employement when it was involved in an accident with Gutierrez's vehicle on the International Bridge in Del Rio. Emergency personnel transported Plaintiff to the hospital where he complained of left shoulder pain. Three months later he was referred to a doctor by his attorney who diagnosed a ruptured L5-S1 disc. He had received a plasma disc replenishment procedure, discectomy and a laminectomy and fusion. He has not been able to return to his previous job and asked for an award of $1.5 million. Trial began on May 10, 2010, and concluded on May 13, 2010. The case was submitted as to the potential negligence of Plaintiff and Wackenhut, and the jury returned with a finding of negligence against Wackenhut and assessed damages at $1,253,959.00.