A family is suing a major oil company alleging negligence and wrongful death originating from their father and husband’s fatal workplace exposure to toxins in 2010.
Nedjelka Mjehovic, Vlaho Mjehovic, and Borislava Mjehovic sued BP America Production Company, a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in Houston, and BP Exploration & Production Inc., a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in Warrenville, Ill., on behalf of Miro Mjehovic, in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Louisiana on July 28 alleging negligence in regard to the alleged six-month period of exposure during 2010.
According to the complaint, BP hired Miro Mjehovic following the epic oil spill resulting from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon incident. The suit states that Mjehovic’s direct employer was U.S. Maritime Services of New Orleans and that he was employed from June 2010 through December 2010.
According to the suit, the seaman served as vessel captain performing cleanup operations as instructed by BP exclusively in coastal waters off the parishes of St. Bernard and Plaquemines. He allegedly came into dermal and airborne contact with crude oil containing volatile compounds which the complaint states are widely regarded as toxic and carcinogenic, as well as chemical dispersants used by BP.
Mjehovic allegedly developed dermal, respiratory and cardiopulmonary complications culminating in acquired hemophilia. Despite medical intervention, the suit states, he died June 7, 2012.
Alleging that BP was more interested in profit than in public and environmental health and safety, the family claims that the decedent should have been better protected from hazardous chemical exposure. Charging BP with failure to prevent the Deepwater Horizon explosion, cap the Macondo well promptly, warn personnel and properly equip workers, the surviving Mjehovics allege breach of duty and three counts of negligence.
Requesting compensatory and punitive damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorney’s fees, expenses, and court costs, the plaintiffs are represented by Joseph Piacun, Thomas A. Gennusa II and Reid Uzee of Gennusa, Piacun & Ruli in Metairie.
U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Louisiana Case 2:15-cv-03018-CJB-JCW
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