DUBLIN, Texas — An Erath County jury has awarded nearly $35 million to the family of 19-year-old Jordan Sanchez, who lost his life in a farming accident two years ago while participating in a youth work program. Sanchez died when a front-end loader struck him while he was clearing rocks in a field.
After a two-day trial that concluded on April 17, jurors delivered an 11-1 verdict in favor of the Sanchez family, assigning liability to Grass Roots Farming LLC. The award totaled approximately $32 million in damages, along with $2.9 million in prejudgment interest and $9,668 in court costs, marking it as the largest verdict for a plaintiff in Erath County’s history, according to attorney Domingo Garcia.
The wrongful death lawsuit, initiated in May 2023 in the 266th District Court, initially included Alan D. Vander Horst, who operates Sierra Dairy and Vander Horst Enterprises LLC. Those defendants settled for $1 million prior to trial, allowing the remaining case to proceed against Grass Roots Farming.
Garcia revealed that before the trial, he proposed a settlement to Grass Roots Farming’s insurance company for the maximum policy limit of $5 million, which was rejected. In contrast, the company’s offer of $1 million prompted the family to seek justice in court.
The tragic accident occurred on April 7, 2023, while Sanchez was assisting as part of a work program designed for dairy employees’ children. He was accompanied by five teenagers when he was just 10 feet ahead of a front-end loader. Reports indicate that the operator, identified as Ben Coan, was distracted and allegedly using his phone at the time of the incident.
Sanchez’s younger brother, Alfonso, was present and witnessed the event, holding him as he succumbed to his injuries.
Katherine W. Binns, the lead attorney representing the Sanchez family, underscored that the driver failed to conduct a simple head count before moving the equipment. She indicated that such a precaution could have highlighted Sanchez’s presence. Furthermore, Binns criticized the absence of essential safety measures, including reflective vests for the teens and a designated spotter to assist the operator.
Alarmingly, witnesses reported that the teenagers attempted to gain the driver’s attention by throwing rocks at the loader’s cab and shouting as a last-ditch effort to make him stop.
During closing arguments, Binns addressed the jury, seeking damages between $15 million and $22 million; however, the jury’s final decision exceeded her expectations.
The case has sparked discussions about critical safety improvements needed in agricultural operations, particularly regarding restrictions on phone use while operating heavy machinery and the provision of easily accessible safety gear for youth workers — changes that could significantly enhance safety without substantial cost.
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