Jeff Hastings, of counsel in the Houston office, is a member of the Transportation Group. Mr. Hastings is experienced in personal injury, employment and commercial litigation, and has tried cases in both state and federal courts. He concentrates his practice on railroad, admiralty and maritime, product liability and commercial litigation.
- Represented Class 1 railroad in Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) claim arising from slack action on a moving train. Plaintiff alleged negligent train handling and an unsafe place to work. Plaintiff sustained neck, back and shoulder injuries requiring surgery and extended medical care. After a jury trial a favorable defense verdict was obtained resulting in a take nothing judgment.
- Successfully tried a commercial dispute involving allegations of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and both common law and statutory fraud. Obtained favorable jury findings on all counts for represented client.
- Represented railroad in crossing accident arising from work bus/train collision inside a local refinery. Obtained summary judgment for railroad.
- Defended industrial cleaning business in commercial litigation including allegations of conspiracy, tortuous interference with business relationships and negligent retention arising from non-competition agreement of partial owner of the business.
- Defended owner of a boat company in federal maritime action arising from personal injury while aboard a crew boat. Allegations included general maritime negligence, unseaworthy vessel and violations of Coast Guard regulations.
- Defended a major corporation in wrongful death action arising from company vehicle striking pedestrian resulting in death to 22-year-old father and leaving behind common law wife and two-month-old son. Obtained favorable settlement during jury selection.
- Represented an oil and gas services company in personal injury case arising from a motor vehicle accident. Allegations included that the driver was intoxicated at the time of the collision and that the company regularly allowed its personnel to consume alcohol and reimbursed employees for alcohol purchases.
- Defended manufacturer of flexible water supply line in product liability action arising from extensive water damage to $3 million home.
- Defended railroads in numerous matters involving wrongful death actions, FELA matters, railroad grade crossings accidents, derailments and chemical exposures.
- Defended manufacturers in numerous product liability matters arising from alleged asbestos exposures, including mesothelioma and lung cancer cases.
- Acted as National Coordinating Counsel for an oil field services company in asbestos and other toxic tort matters.
- Represented oil field service companies in numerous Jones Act and maritime personal injury matters.
- Represented pneumatic tool manufacturer in products liability actions including claims of carpal tunnel syndrome and hand arm vibration syndrome filed by more than 100 plaintiffs.
- Member – Houston and Texas Bar Associations
- Member – Colorado Bar Association
- Member – National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel
- Former Board of Director – Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce
- AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Texas, 1991
- Colorado, 1992
- U.S. District Courts, Southern, Eastern, Western and Northern Districts of Texas
- South Texas College of Law, J.D., 1991, magna cum laude
- University of Houston, B.A., 1985