Galveston seaman wants $5.5M after blowtorch accident injures testicle

A Galveston seaman has filed a $5.5 million lawsuit against his employer after a blowtorch malfunctioned last month, severely injuring him.

David Hall was performing maintenance work on a pier on June 12 when the oxygen hose on the oxyacetylene torch he was using blew off of the handle and struck him on his left testicle, according to the lawsuit.

Hall also sustained injuries to his back and parts of his body in the accident, according to the petition filed by Houston attorney Tony Buzbee.

The lawsuit seeks damages of up to $5.5 million.

The lawsuit against G&H Towing, which operates 30 harbor tugboats, claims that the company failed to maintain a safe work place, failed to properly maintain its equipment and failed to safely operate.

The lawsuit seeks to recoup lost wages and to cover medical expenses caused by the accident.

"Plaintiff has suffered physical pain and mental anguish and, in reasonable medical probability, will continue to do so for the balance of his natural life," the lawsuit states.

Hall continues to recover his injuries, his attorney said.

"When it blew loose it hit him so hard right in groin area," Buzbee said. "He's still being treated for it and the likelihood is that he will lose his left testicle. It's one of those things that when proper maintenance is not done, these are the types of things that happen, and it happened."

G&H Towing could not immediately be reached for comment.

The case will be heard before state District Judge Susan Criss of the 212th District Court in Galveston.