Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC v. Maricela Ramirez, No. 01-24-00088-CV, Court of Appeals of Texas, First District (Feb. 27, 2026)

Beck Redden secured a favorable appellate ruling for the plaintiffs in a wrongful death suit against Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC. Juan Carlos Ramirez, a contract pumper working oilfield rounds, was electrocuted by a sagging, energized high-voltage overhead line hanging a couple feet off the ground. The sagging line sparked a fire, which Ramirez went to investigate as part of his job duties. Ramirez was electrocuted when he approached the sagging line, which was obscured by smoke from the fire.

Oncor sought summary judgment based on Chapter 752 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, arguing that Ramirez was a “person responsible” for activity near the line and thus had statutory duties that he violated, barring recovery. The trial court denied the motion, and Beck Redden defended that ruling in a permissive interlocutory appeal.

On February 27, 2026, the First Court of Appeals affirmed in a unanimous panel opinion, holding that Oncor failed to conclusively prove that Ramirez was a “person responsible” under the statute, which requires authority to notify operators, negotiate safety agreements, and bear associated costs. The court identified fact questions for trial, including whether Ramirez was acting within the scope of employment when investigating the fire.

The decision preserves plaintiffs’ wrongful death claims and remands to the 61st District Court of Harris County for further proceedings.