Workplace Death Verdict News

Hays County Jury Awards $46M After Oilfield Worker Run Over at Devon Energy Site

Jurors placed 90% of fault on driver Gerald Walker and 10% on John Dotson Trucking, citing reckless conduct that killed 34-year-old Andrew West during a 2019 aggregate delivery southeast of San Antonio. A Hays County jury has awarded $46 million to the parents of Andrew West, a 34-year-old oilfield worker who was run over and killed at a Devon Energy well site in DeWitt County. Trial evidence showed truck driver Gerald Walker accelerated sharply without confirming West’s location, striking him with the rear of his trailer and leaving the scene until Colorado Materials supervisors ordered him back. Jurors found Walker negligent and determined John Dotson Trucking shared liability because Walker was operating under its control for Colorado Materials at the time. The verdict includes $20 million for the pain and mental anguish West suffered before he died, plus $13 million each to his parents for loss of companionship and mental anguish. Walker was assigned 90% of the responsibility, with 10% on his employer. “This verdict reflects the jury’s understanding that when someone’s reckless conduct takes a life, there must be accountability,” plaintiff’s attorney Rusty Hardin said. West’s last words “Tell my mom I love her. Tell my dad I love him” were relayed to the jury to underscore the human loss.