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Pilgrim’s Pride Settles for $2.5 Million Following Workplace Fatality

June 28, 2013
Personal injury attorneys have negotiated a $2.5 million settlement in connection to a July 2011 workplace fatality at a Texas-based Pilgrim’s Pride plant.

In July 2011, James Bynum, a longtime employee at Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., was fatally injured when he was run over and pinned beneath a truck at work. Attorneys have negotiated a $2.5 million settlement in connection to this fatality.

Bynum’s death occurred around 1 a.m. on July 27, 2011 at the Protein Conversion Plant of the Mount Pleasant, Texas, facility. He had been working near a shuttle truck on a loading dock when he was struck and subsequently pinned beneath the truck. According to Dallas personal injury attorneys of Grossman Law Offices, Bynum survived for several hours and suffered “immense pain” before his death.

“Being in the personal injury business for almost 25 years, I've seen many unfortunate accidents. However, I'll never forget this one,” said attorney Michael Grossman, lead litigant for the plaintiff. “Our client was actually conscious while the trailer was on top of him and asked the very man who ran him over to phone his wife. Now, Texas law allows for the recovery of what's called pain and suffering, essentially what the victim experienced prior to his or her death. Can you imagine the pain and suffering Jimmy went through that night?”

According to Grossman, the law office conducted an investigation and brought in medical workplace safety experts to establish liability. The firm also turned to economists to detail the financial impact on our client and his family.

“Settling for a total of $2.5 million is an excellent figure for our clients and commensurate with what they and the victim went through,” Grossman said. “Not only is litigation expensive, but it also delays our clients’ recovery. At the end of the day, their recovery is what this is all about.”

About the Author

Laura Walter

Laura Walter was formerly senior editor of EHS Today. She is a subject matter expert in EHS compliance and government issues and has covered a variety of topics relating to occupational safety and health. Her writing has earned awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), the Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI) and APEX Awards for Publication Excellence. Her debut novel, Body of Stars (Dutton) was published in 2021.

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