Employee claims he was dumped out of personnel transfer basket

A Lafayette resident has filed a lawsuit for personal injuries he received after he was allegedly dumped out of a personnel basket during a transfer from an oil platform to a vessel.

Darryl Broussard filed suit against Shamrock Management March 31 in federal court in Lafayette – Opelousas Division. The case was transferred to New Orleans federal court on Aug. 24.

The alleged incident occurred on April 4, 2009, as Broussard was working for Offshore Cleaning Systems aboard a fixed platform.

Broussard states he was being off-loaded from the platform by a crane operated by one of the defendant's employees when the personnel basket slammed into the railing of the vessel. Broussard says the basket fell onto the deck of the vessel, throwing him out of the basket.

The defendant is accused of negligence for the careless, "wanton and reckless operation of the crane, failing to use safe operating procedures, failing to have the appropriate license to conduct personnel basket transfers by crane and for failing to exercise reasonable care.

Shamrock Management is also accused of failing to properly train the crane operator and for allowing an unskilled operator to offload personnel.

Broussard is seeking damages for physical pain and suffering, mental pain and suffering, medical expenses, loss of income, loss of earning capacity, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent disability, interest and court costs.

The plaintiff is represented by Bob Broussard in Lafayette.

U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:10cv02809