Local contractor pays $3.25 million to local barbeque legend

In April 2023, local barbeque legend Larry “Big T” Brown, owner and operator of Big T’s Bar-B-Que restaurants in the Lower Richland area, received $3.25 million for major injuries suffered. Tom Brigman Contractors contracted in 2020 to provide sewer construction services for Richland County, including the installation of 16” high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes. In its bidding submission to Richland County, Brigman represented that it complies with all industry and safety standards. In December 2020, Brigman was installing HDPE pipe on Congaree Road.

A few days before Christmas, Mr. Brown was driving home in a Big T’s Bar-B-Que van on Congaree Road when he collided with a large HDPE pipe. Specifically, the pipe was 16 inches in diameter and 30 feet long, and weighed approximately 1400 pounds. Because the pipe was in the middle of the road near Adams Hayne Road and Gus Lane, Mr. Brown was unable to see the pipe in time to avoid colliding with it at nearly full speed. Consequently, his van overturned and he suffered severe injuries.

The settlement resolved allegations that the contractor was negligent in its duty to safely maintain and store construction materials. In an article for The State, Harpootlian stated: “This settlement will make a huge improvement in the quality of life for Mr. Brown, and hopefully will help raise awareness about safety at highway construction sites.” The full article is available here.

Mr. Brown was represented by Dick Harpootlian and Phil Barber of Richard A. Harpootlian, P.A.

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