Lightfoot Defeats $9M Personal Injury Lawsuit Against Lucas Construction
December 15, 2025
A Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC team led by board-certified trial lawyer and Houston office managing partner, Jared I. Levinthal, secured a decisive verdict in a $9 million personal injury lawsuit against Lucas Construction Co, Inc. in Galveston, Texas.
After a nine-day trial, the jury found no liability against Lucas Construction, placed 100 percent of the responsibility on the plaintiff and awarded zero damages.
The case arose in connection with a construction roadway project known as The Pin Oak Drive Drainage Improvement Project. Lucas Construction was retained by the City of Dickinson, Texas, to widen roads and improve drainage on a number of streets throughout Dickinson, including the street where the plaintiff lived. The plaintiff alleged that Lucas Construction blocked his driveway during construction, forcing him to park away from his home and walk home in the dark. He stated he was unfamiliar with the area where he parked, fell into a ditch, sustained a concussion and claimed permanent brain injury. The plaintiff asked for more than $9 million in damages, with approximately $3 million for past and future medical care
The Lightfoot team was retained to try the case after the discovery deadline and initially only weeks from trial. The record Lightfoot inherited contained a challenging set of facts and corporate admissions that hindered Lucas’s defense.
The resulting defense verdict was a complete victory for Lucas Construction.
“As we approached our trial date, facing up to $9 million in alleged damages, sleepless nights seemed to be the new norm. However, the hard work and preparation the Lightfoot team put into our case, especially in preparing us as witnesses, made all the difference,” said Jimmy McGinnis, the vice president of Lucas Construction. “Mr. Levinthal, Mr. Latzman, Mr. Pullen and all members of their team are some of the most impressive individuals I’ve had the privilege of working with. Their dedication, experience and intelligence showed both during the trial and in the defense verdict. We express our sincere gratitude towards them and would not have any other team represent Lucas Construction Company in the future.”
In addition to Levinthal, the Lightfoot team included partner Joshua G. Latzman and associate Phillip J. Pullen, along with Director of Litigation Technology Sam McAllister and paralegal Emily Gilmore. Heidi Gumienny of Wright Close Barger & Guzman served as appellate counsel during trial.
“I am incredibly proud of this team and the verdict in Lucas’s favor,” said Levinthal. “Coming into a case shortly before trial – you have to play the cards you’re dealt. This verdict is a testament to the hard work and innovative lawyering that we brought to the case. I am happiest for the men and women of Lucas Construction. They did nothing wrong, and our jury spoke loud and clear.”
The case is styled, Cause No., 23-CV-1475, EF v. Lucas Construction Co., in the District Court 122nd Judicial District, Galveston County, Texas, Honorable Jeth Jones, presiding.
