NEW ORLEANS - A seaman has filed a Jones Act lawsuit claiming that he sustained disabling injuries when he slipped and fell on the vessel’s wooden floor.
Michael Johnson filed suit against Big R Towing Inc. on Jan. 7 in federal court in New Orleans.
The incident occurred on Jan. 7, 2012 as Johnson was employed by the Defendant as a mate and crewmember of the M/V Dixie. Johnson claims he sustained serious and disabling personal injuries when he slipped and fell on the vessel’s wooden floor during operations.
According to the lawsuit, following the accident the floor was subsequently changed.
The defendant is accused of negligence for failing to maintain the vessel and her appurtenances in a safe and reasonable state of repair, failing to take reasonable precautions for Plaintiff’s safety, failing to provide employees with a reasonably safe place to work, failing to warn Johnson of known or existing hazards.
The plaintiff is seeking an award of damages for mental anguish, lost earnings, loss of earning capacity, disfigurement, medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, maintenance and cure, interest, punitive damages, court costs, and attorney’s fees.
Johnson is represented by Houma attorney Joseph L. Waitz Jr. and Marc Evan Kutner of Spagnoletti & Co. in Houston.
U.S. District Judge Helen G. Berrigan is assigned to the case.
Case No. 2:13-cv-00030
Seaman files lawsuit after slipping and falling on vessel’s wooden floor
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