Repairman sues American Energy after falling through laldder

A crane repairman has filed a lawsuit against his employer after he fell through a ladder opening, sustaining injuries.

Joshua Lumpkin filed suit against American Energy Oil and Gas, Energy XXI GOM, Energy XXI Gulf Coast Inc., Energy XXI Onshore, Energy XXI Texas GP, Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations Inc. and Baker Production on Oct. 1 in federal court in New Orleans.

The accident occurred on Oct. 2, 2009 as Lumpkin was performing maintenance on the machinery. According to the lawsuit, an opening near the platform's walk-around was left uncovered. Lumpkin states he fell 12 feet and landed on a bolt that punctured a nerve in his left arm.

The defendants are accused of failing to provide a reasonably safe place to work, negligence of fellow employees, failing to properly maintain the oil platform, failing to perform routine inspections and failing to correct a defective condition on the platform walk-around.

Lumpkin is seeking damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish, humiliation, emotional distress, lost wages, medical bills, court costs and interest.

He is represented by Timothy J. Falcon, Jeremiah A. Sprague and Jenna M. Hatty of Falcon Law Firm in Marrero.

U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:10cv03345