NEW ORLEANS – A sous chef alleges improperly disposed of grease caused him to slip and fall on a ship.
Jason Hilliard filed a complaint on Oct. 31 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against American Cruise Lines Inc. alleging that the river boat operator failed to provide a safe place to work.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on July 18, he was a crew member of defendant's M/V Queen of the Mississippi when he sustained severe injuries to his body when he slipped and fell on grease and water in the galley. He alleges he suffered physical and mental pain, scarring and disability, loss of income and medical expenses. The plaintiff holds American Cruise Lines Inc. responsible because the defendant allegedly refused to honor its maintenance cure and obligations.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks compensatory damages in an amount reasonable under the circumstances, attorneys’ fees incurred in prosecution of his maintenance and cure benefits and for any additional relief to which he may be entitled. He is represented by Paul M. Sterbcow and Beth E. Abramson of Lewis, Kullman, Sterbcow & Abramson in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Case number 2:16-cv-15966