A Jeff Davis Parish resident and maritime worker is suing his employer and an equipment manufacturer, alleging injuries suffered from a fall into the water.
Wendell Simar filed a lawsuit June 23 in U.S. District Court Western District of Louisiana against Maritech Resources, Tetra Technologies Inc., and Supreme Offshore Services Inc., alleging premises negligence in a workplace accident resulting in serious spinal injuries.
According to the complaint, on June 24, 2014, Simar was required to use a swing rope and cable to board a vessel from the platform of the rig on which he was working. The suit states that when he attempted to board, the steel cable broke, causing him to strike the vessel’s rail before plummeting into the water below, severely injuring his back in the process.
Simar alleges the cable was in disrepair and therefore unsafe, posing a risk of injury. The lawsuit says the defendants were in breach of duty of reasonable care by failing to adequately inspect equipment and provide a safe work environment and means of egress and ingress between vessels.
The plaintiff alleges pain, suffering and anguish, loss of wages and enjoyment of life, disability and medical expenses.
Simar seeks damages in excess of $2 million, attorney fees, expenses and court costs. He is represented by attorney Errol Cormier of Lafayette.
U.S. District Court Western District of Louisiana case number 6:15-cv-01950-RTH-CMH.