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LOUISIANA RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Jones Act lawsuit filed after seaman falls head first from ladder

Bickford

A seaman from St. James Parish has filed a lawsuit against his employer after he fell from a ladder and landed on his head.

Claiming his employer did not furnish proper equipment, Jules Hampton filed suit against St. James Stevedoring Partners on July 5 in federal court in New Orleans.

The accident occurred on April 27, 2011 as Jules Hampton was performing his duties as a heavy machine operator. He states he was in the hold of an adjacent barge and was climbing up a 16-foot ladder, when the ladder started to move from the top of the hold. Hampton fell head first to the barge floor, the suit claims.

The defendant is accused of negligence for failing to properly train or supervise the crew, failing to maintain the vessels under its control in a manner to prevent damage, failure of the personnel to perform their job of securing the ladder on the barge, failing to employ equipment to prevent this accident, failing to furnish proper equipment to perform the job safely and failing to exercise due care and caution.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for physical pain and suffering, mental pain, suffering and anguish, medical anguish, lost wages, lost found, loss of earning capacity, lost fringe benefits, disfigurement and disability, loss of enjoyment of life, punitive damages, interest, court costs, maintenance, cure and attorney's fees.

Hampton is represented by Neil F. Nazareth, Scott R. Bickford and Lawrence J. Centola of Martzell & Bickford in New Orleans and W. Jared Vincent, William S. Vincent, Jr. and V. Jacob Garbin of Law Offices of Williams S. Vincent, Jr. in New Orleans.

U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:11-cv-01573

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