Big verdict

MORTON A Cochran County jury sided with a 52-year-old Odessa man in his complaint against an oil company — awarding the man more than $700,000 in the case.

Rosa Mendoza, a secretary with Odessa attorney Ruff Ahders, said the jury awarded Israel Bustamante the large sum on Thursday in a case against Smith International of Houston and Smith Services of Odessa.

Ahders, Bustamante’s lawyer, was away from his office on Friday but left information with his secretary.

According to court documents, Bustamante was working for Key Energy Services on Feb. 13, 2006, at Rig 117 of the Shenandoah Petroleum Conoco-Dean lease when he was struck by a section of 3.5-inch drill pipe. The documents said the pipe was being lifted by other Key Energy employees using Smith Services elevators that were the wrong size.

The resulting injury crushed his hip, causing two fractures there, as well as a broken ankle and many bruises.

The jury awarded the money for medical bills and time missed because of injuries.

Bustamante was unavailable for comment Friday, but a woman who answered his house phone said, “He’s doing good.”

Calls to Smith International were forwarded to senior vice-president and general council Richard Chandler, who was not available.

Smith International’s headquarters are in Houston. Smith Services is currently in 137 locations around the world including Odessa.