HOUSTON -- Houston, TX. – Well-known international and domestic steel pipe supplier, JD Fields & Company, Inc., received good news in a breach of contract suit filed in April 2013 against T & R Pipeline Service, Inc. JD Fields was awarded over $300,000 in damages and the company’s attorney, Steven Vangel partner at the Hill Rivkins law firm, managed to procure $148,000 for compensation of legal fees.

This dispute was the result of T & R Pipeline Service failing to fully compensate JD Fields for an order of steel pipe the company received. Due to a lack in payment for the steel delivered, JD Fields filed a petition in the 80th District Court in Houston claiming a breach of contract. T & R Pipeline Services denied the allegation and took on an affirmative defense – stating that plaintiff did not alleviate its damages. The process to get to trial then began, which took longer than expected due after the case was continued twice and received eight docket calls.

Fortunately during that time JD Fields was able to mitigate some of the damages the company suffered when T & R Pipeline Services failed to pay for the steel shipment supplied by selling around $400,000 worth of the pipe. Due to this mitigation, JD Fields was initially awarded $108,000 in damages. Vangal then faced the task of convincing the court that the attorney fees that JD Fields amassed during the course of the trial, and the continuances and docket calls, should be compensated. Vangal admitted that procuring the funds to cover the attorney fees was a bit of a challenge because 36 prospective jurors during pre-trail jury selection believed that attorneys were over compensated.

Vangal was able to persuade the jury to award $148,000 in legal feels after presenting an argument that fully outlined the amount of time and effort that actually goes into such a case – especially a case that is extended over a long period of time. The attorneys needed to over-prepare in order to ensure that the steel pipe and sheet supplier was able to receive compensation for the damages. The jury delivered their verdict to award the funds for the legal fees on July 31, 2014. Months later a final verdict was reached in exactly how much damages should be awarded by T & R Pipeline Services to JD Fields. Since then over $300,000 has been allocated to the plaintiff, who is happy to have reached an end in this lengthy dispute.

About JD Fields

JD Fields has been a reputable steel pipe and steel sheet supplier since 1985. The company keeps an inventory of over 150,000 tons of steel in stock to serve the immediate needs of customers, and can also provide products to fit unique needs and special requirements. JD Fields serves customers both domestically and around the world.


Contact
Jay Fields
281-558-7199