Chaz D. Klaes

Chaz has a diverse practice involving the representation of both domestic and international insurers in first-party property matters and third-party general liability matters, as well as some international subrogation efforts.

His third-party practice encompasses a wide range of matters involving oil well/rig injuries, premises incidents including actual defects and negligent security/shooting issues, as well environmental hazards/losses.  Chaz also handles commercial trucking accidents with an emphasis on cross-border trucking companies. 

Chaz’s first-party practice involves losses throughout the United States with respect to complex physical property damage as well as product recall matters.

His practice also includes a wide variety of matters for High Net Worth Personal Lines Carriers.  These claims often involve significant policies with multiple layers of coverage.  Chaz has counseled these carriers on defense, subrogation and coverage matters.  

• Personal injury auto accident. The defense focused on a responsible third party who caused the sudden emergency.  The Jury agreed and found no negligence on our client.  Cause No. 19-08-11322; Sheri Strickland, et al v. Grayson Charney; In the 457^th Judicial District Court of Montgomery County, Texas.
• Personal injury 18-wheeler accident. This involved stipulated liability and an emphasis on causation of damages.  Plaintiff sought $4 million from the jury on an incident that occurred at less than 2 miles per hour.  The jury agreed and awarded $80,000 verdict.  Civil Action No. 5:19-cv-124; Eva Carreon v. Sonia Gonzalez Gamez d/b/a Transportes Rigonza; In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas – Laredo Division.
• Personal injury 18-wheeler accident. Jury found liability but awarded no non-economic damages in the future.  Case settled on appeal.  Cause No. 21-04-05504; Colton Merritt v. Silver Eagle Distributors Houston, LLC; In the 284^th Judicial District Court of Montgomery County, Texas.
• Personal injury 18-wheeler accident tried during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Liability was not in dispute.  The Plaintiff had significant history of pre-existing issues with her back and neck.  The jury agreed and returned a verdict of $211,000 verdict which was well less than the $750,000 sought by Plaintiff and well below all pre-trial demands.  Cause No. C-4614-19-H; Melanie S. Alvarez v. Jose Angel Quintero Gonzalez, et al; In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas – McAllen Division.
• Personal injury 18-wheeler accident. This was a minimal-impact accident where the Plaintiff did not seek medical treatment for over 1 year following the incident.  We tried the case on causation.  Jury found no causation of injury/damage.  Defense verdict.  Civil Action No. 5:19-cv-00156; Victor Gonzales v. Inter Mexicana de Transporte S.A. DE C.V.; In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas – Laredo Division.
• This was an employer liability claim which resulted in two (2) fatalities. There was significant evidence of Plaintiff’s fault and Defendant’s compliance with all safety rules/regulations.  The jury determined the Defendants were not negligent.  Cause No. 50774; Tina Sheesley, Individually and as Personal Representative of the Estate of Patrick Sheesley, et al. v. JRD, LLC d/b/a Maslonka Powerline Services, et al; in the 424^th District Court of Burnet County, Texas.
• This was a commercial motor vehicle accident which resulted in a fatality. The jury determined there was significant contribution on the Decedent.  The Court granted a motion for new trial.  Case settled prior to second trial based on the contribution factors.  Civil Action No. 5:20-cv-94; Valentin and Maria Isela Vallina, et al v. Maria Critina Cepeda Huerta d/b/a Transportes Cepeda and Daniel Guerrero Espinosa; In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas – Laredo Division.
• This was a personal injury/nonsubscriber case. Plaintiff claimed he was injured while stocking beer pallets.  Plaintiff asked for $3,000,000.  The verdict was less than ½ of what Plaintiff demanded pre-arbitration and less than $200,000.  Arbitration Matter 222-5543; Roman Powers v. Silver Eagle Distributors Houston, LLC; Before Dave Mattheisen, Arbitrator.
• Personal injury accident with fatality where the Decedent and the Defendant was intoxicated with marijuana in his system. The incident involved speeding (93 in a 25 mph) and failure to wear a seatbelt.  Pre-Trial demand was $60,000,000.  The verdict (based on significant contribution on the Decedent for failure to wear a seatbelt) was less than $1,750,000.  Cause No. 20-04-04990; David and Teresa Bradley, et al v. Spencer Levine; In the 284^th District Court of Montgomery County; Texas.
• This was a personal injury/non-subscriber case. Plaintiff claimed he was injured while he slipped while unloading beer pallets.  Plaintiff had approximately $900,000 in past medical.  Plaintiff sought $16,000,000.  The verdict was approximately $1,000,000.  AAA Case No. 01-20-0000-7199; Terrance Bass v. Silver Eagle Distributors Houston, LLC; Before the American Arbitration Association.
• This was a subrogation claim involving environmental pollution following damage to a pipe used for salt-water disposal for oil and gas operations. The arbitrator awarded $1,663,000.00 which was 100% of the claimed damages.  Arbitration; DTE Louisiana Gathering, LLC v. D. Courtney Construction.
• Personal injury auto accident. Plaintiff sought $16,000,000 against an individual (no company).  Plaintiff did not negotiate below seven figures.  The primary defense focused on no causation of the claimed injuries.  The jury, following a two-week trial, awarded less than $1,000,000.00.  Cause No. 2019-54355; Frank M. Gabeletto and Candace Gabeletto v. Esther Steinfield Freedman; In the 133rd District Court of Harris County; Texas.
• Personal injury commercial auto accident. This was a stipulated liability case that focused on minimal property damage and no causation of claimed injuries. The jury found the incident did not cause the subject injuries and awarded $0.  Civil Action No. 1:21-CV-187; Leonor Perez v. Dora Alicia Gallegos Roman d/b/a Transportes Bega, et al.; In the United States District Court; Southern Division of Texas; Brownsville Division.
• Construction Defect involving a rainstorm during the construction of a commercial roof. Case settled post-verdict.  Civil Action No. 1:21-CV-00313-MJT; TOCCOA, Ltd. v. North American Roofing, et al.; In the United States District Court; Eastern Division of Texas; Beaumont Division. 
• Personal injury commercial vehicle accident involving minimal impact and limited property damage. Plaintiff had a history of pre-existing injuries as well participating in four (4) marathons and half-marathons following the date of incident.  The Plaintiff sought more than $500,000.  The jury awarded $108,000.  Cause No. 2019-CVH000598D3; Patricia Mendoza v. Ignacio Ramirez Jimenez, et al; In the 341st District Court of Webb County; Texas.
• Personal injury involving an alleged toxic mold exposure. Case settled during trial (after 3 days) for significantly less than any pre-trial demands and less than case evaluation.  Cause No. DC-21-11380; Brittni Lighthizer v. SHF I Icon, LLC d/b/a The Icon at Ross Apartments and Simpson Property Group, LP; In the 68th District Court of Dallas County; Texas.
• Wrongful death. We were hired less than 2 months prior to trial to serve as co-counsel.  Case issues involved whether driver was in course and scope at time of the subject incident.  Case settled on appeal.  Cause No. CV02251; Laura Sanchez, et al v. Helmerich & Payne International Drilling Co., et al; In the 112th Judicial District Court of Reagan County, Texas.
• Successfully defended, as second chair, a lease operator in a lawsuit involving an alleged traumatic brain injury as the result of the negligent removal of an ice plug at a gas processing facility.  Following a one-month trial, the jury determined an employee of our client was the borrowed servant/employee of a co-defendant and our insured was found not negligent.  Cause No. 2015-34043, Routon v. EOG and Renegade Well Services, in the 295th District Court of Harris County Texas. 
• Successfully defended, as second chair, a company man for a well operator.  The decedent derrickman was approximately 136 feet in the air when the crown of the rig collapsed, and the decedent fell to his death.  Plaintiff claimed the company man was in control of the work and should have stopped the work despite the fact he was only at the well site for less than five minutes.  Plaintiff asked for $10,000,000 in damages.  Jury found the company man 5% at fault and owed less than $100,000 in damages following verdict.  Cause No. 49,246, Saiz v Shamblin, in the 118th District Court of Howard County, Texas. 
• Successfully defended, as first chair, a company in a lawsuit whereby plaintiff complained he was defrauded by two of the founders of the company that later became the insured.  Plaintiff sought more than fifty million in damages.  Following a week-long trial, the jury awarded approximately 3.6 million in damages against all the defendants combined.  Cause No. 2014-18161, Griffiths v. EPT et al, in the 270th District Court of Harris County, Texas. 
• Successfully prosecuted, as first chair, a breach of contract claim on behalf of a local plumbing company against a homeowner who refused to pay for the services provided.  The jury found in favor of the plumbing company and awarded damages.  Cause No. 2013-66891, Katy Plumbing v. Stephen Blanchard, in the 164th District Court of Harris County, Texas. 

Super Lawyers®, Texas Rising Stars List, 2016-2022