Terry Winningham, an Arkansas resident, has filed a lawsuit seeking damages for severe injuries sustained while working in Florida. The complaint was filed on October 14, 2024, in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County against Blew Bayou Services LLC, Blew Bayou Services M.O.T., and Florida Power and Light Company (FPL).

The case revolves around a tragic incident that occurred on November 21, 2021. Winningham was operating a Kenworth tractor-trailer at a site near Hollister, Florida. He was unstrapping a load of power poles and cross members when a 3,000-pound cross member fell from the trailer, striking him and causing catastrophic injuries including amputations and brain injuries. The plaintiff claims that the defendants failed to secure the load properly with necessary safety measures such as chocks or friction materials to prevent shifting during unloading.

Winningham accuses FPL of negligence for not ensuring safe loading practices at their Loxahatchee yard where the equipment was loaded. He alleges that FPL had control over the yard and should have overseen the loading process to comply with safety regulations. Similarly, he accuses Blew Bayou Services LLC and its subsidiary of negligent violation of safety statutes by failing to use appropriate securing devices during loading.