NEW ORLEANS – A former crew member aboard the Mr. Hampton is suing its owner, alleging that negligence led to a serious hand injury.
Carmon Matthew Walker filed a lawsuit on Feb. 26 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Magnolia Marine Transport Co., citing maritime negligence and unseaworthiness.
According to the complaint, Walker was employed by the defendant on May 5, 2015, as a deckhand, seaman, and member of the crew aboard the Mr. Hampton, under the defendant’s ownership. On such day, the plaintiff claims to have been taking apart three barges when his hand was crushed by a winch permanently attached to the vessel, requiring surgery and causing permanent damage and disability.
The plaintiff avers that his injury was a direct result of the defendant’s negligence and failure to properly maintain and equip the vessel. He claims that the vessel has subsequently proven itself to be unseaworthy.
Walker seeks damages incurred from his injury, medical expenses, loss of wages, fringe benefits, attorney’s fees, costs and a trial by jury. He is represented by Alton J. Hall Jr. and Bobby J. Delise of Delise & Hall of Covington.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Case number 2:16-cv-01630-SM-DEK