April 15, 2011
Texas

Suit says wind turbine blade came off, hit employee vehicle

By John Suayan, Galveston Bureau, www.setexasrecord.com 14 April 2011By John Suayan, Galveston Bureau, www.setexasrecord.com 14 April 2011

GALVESTON – Henry Beall Enterprises Inc. has filed suit against Bridlewood Construction LLC, Earth Tech Energy Systems LLC, New Frontier Structures LLC and Alvin resident Anthony Freeborn over a defective windmill structure.

According to a lawsuit filed March 24 in Galveston County Court at Law No. 2, the complainant, doing business as A & H Electric, purchased an ET-20 wind/solar hybrid system which malfunctioned and allegedly damaged a vehicle belonging to one of its employees.

A & H contacted with defendants Bridlewood and Earth Tech in late 2009 about products and services pertaining to alternative power sources, which New Frontier Structures and Freeborn helped market.

“The defendants held themselves out as reputable and competent suppliers and installers of products like the system they were marketing to the plaintiff,” the original petition says.

“The defendants continued to make representations and warranties to the plaintiffs regarding their product, and specifically regarding the quality, durability, efficiency and cost-saving measures features of the hybrid wind/solar system.”

In December 2009, A & H bought the system, which consisted of a 60-foot tower with a turbine and blades attached at the top. A & H made an initial payment to the defendants for the system and invested other funds for the other necessary components of the system.

Bridlewood and Earth Tech designed and manufactured the structure while New Frontier Structures and Freeborn assisted with the organization, management and supervision of all aspects of the installation, the suit says.

It adds that A & H helped install the system at the defendants’ direction and advice.
The plaintiff claims in September 2010 the system’s blades sheared off and propelled through the air at high velocities.

“One blade struck the vehicle owned by one of the plaintiff’s employees, causing substantial damage to it,” the suit says.

Consequently, A & H sues for unspecified monetary damages.

It is represented by Mills Shirley LLP.

Galveston County Court at Law No. 2 Judge Barbara Roberts is presiding over the case.

Cause No. 64,969


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/04/15/suit-says-wind-turbine-blade-came-off-hit-employee-vehicle/