On Jan. 15, an aircraft mechanic recovered $357,853 for abdominal injuries sustained in an on-the-job accident. In 2007, David Valdez and Edward Silvas, a Lear Siegler Services employee, were working on a helicopter transmission at the Corpus Christi Army Depot. Valdez claimed Silvas activated the stand the transmission was sitting on, causing it to rotate and forcefully strike him in the stomach. The blunt trauma required hospitalization and four months of physical therapy. Valdez was also prescribed painkillers, which left him fatigued and unable to work for months. Valdez sued Silvas and Lear Siegler, alleging Silvas didn't have proper safety training. The defense argued the transmission stand malfunctioned and Valdez should have been aware it was going to move. The jury found Silvas 60 percent and Lear Siegler 40 percent liable.
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