D. Lang

I am the owner of Dudley’s Cajun Cafe in Longview, Texas. I opened on June 17, 1992. We are a full service restaurant and catering restaurant. I have a 25 foot long self-contained and enclosed catering trailer. I had a catering in Tyler on October 27, 2016. The restaurant was closed and I was alone. As always, I turn on the propane and light all the pilots on the fryers to make sure they work before we leave to go on a catering. When I attempted to light the pilot on the first fryer, there was a large and powerful explosion due to a faulty gas valve that was leaking propane into the trailer. The explosion blew me across the trailer and I was on fire. beat the fire out and called 911 on my cell. Longview EMT responded in record time. They carried me to Good Shepherd. I was helicoptered to Parkland Hospital in Dallas.I was burned over 30% of my body. I knew Blake Erskine because he was a long time customer of mine. I wanted him to represent me. He and his legal staff took the case. Blake called in several experts that deal with propane and safety valves. He even went to NASA in Houston and talked with one of their engineers. Blake moved quickly and was very thorough. He was not intimidated by the big time corporate lawyers from Houston. Blake and his legal assistant, Javan Johnson, were very professional and well prepared. Blake went on the attack like a pit bull and the case was settled out of court. I am thankful for Blake. The settlement helped replace the loss in sales because it took several months for me to recover and go back to work. I felt that Blake was on my side and was genuinely concerned about my health and settling the case. I would want him representing me if the need arises in the future. In addition he has become a very close and trusted friend.