Georgia-Pacific Wins Summary Judgment

February 29, 2016

Lightfoot attorneys Rachel M. Lary and Michael L. Bell obtained summary judgment in favor of two Georgia-Pacific employees for co-employee claims arising from injuries plaintiff suffered when a water valve allegedly failed in Georgia-Pacific's Naheola plant. Plaintiff alleged that he suffered permanent injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder, when a water valve allegedly failed causing him injuries. Plaintiff argued that the pressurized water released from the value caused plaintiff to be pushed into other equipment, which in turn caused his injuries. Lightfoot filed a motion for summary judgment arguing that the plaintiff failed to present sufficient evidence to establish co-employee liability under Alabama’s workers' compensation statute. After briefing and oral argument, the Choctaw County court granted the co-employees’ motion for summary judgment and dismissed plaintiff’s claims with prejudice.