Meloy v. Texas Co.

WOOD (Parker), J.

Action for damages for personal injuries resulting from an explosion that occurred while plaintiffs were cleaning pipes in a crude oil heater of an oil refinery. Judgments, entered in accordance with verdicts, were as follows: $65,000 for plaintiff Meloy; $20,000 for plaintiff Evans; and $10,000 for plaintiff Bucci. Defendant appeals from the judgments.

Appellant contends that the plaintiffs were special employees of appellant as a matter of law, and that their remedy was a proceeding before the Industrial Accident Commission; appellant was not negligent and the doctrine of…