Bourque
St. Martin
Jevic
An oil platform inspector for Corrpro Companies is suing Chevron over back, head and neck injuries he sustained after falling approximately 70-80 feet into gulf waters.
Gerald Delacerda claims the incident happened after he was instructed to board a personnel basket that would transport him to a platform operated by Chevron, located in federal waters off the coast of Louisiana, according to the suit filed May 12 in federal court in New Orleans.
As the basket was being lifted and swung toward the platform, the Chevron crane operator allegedly allowed the basket and its occupants to be swung into a bridge connecting platforms. Delacerda was knocked unconscious and fell into the water, the suit claims. He regained consciousness and was pulled from the water but suffered severe and debilitating injuries, he claims.
Delacerda accuses Chevron of negligence in failing to properly train the crane operator, creating a hazard or unsafe condition, failing to eliminate that hazard and unsafe condition, and failing to properly maintain the crane.
He and co-plaintiff Karen Delacerda are seeking damages for physical and mental pain, suffering and discomfort, permanent disability and disfigurement, physical and mental impairment, loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses, loss of wage earning capacity, loss of consortium, society and services, interest and court costs.
Attorneys Charles C. Bourque, Jr., Christopher St. Martin, and Joseph G. Jevic III of St. Martin & Bourque in Houma and Edward Larvadain, Jr. of Edward Larvadain & Associates in Alexandria are representing the plaintiffs.
U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle is assigned to the case.
Case No. 2:10cv01455