Rigger claims injuries after pipe hits him in head

An offshore rigger has filed a lawsuit against his employer for allegedly failing to provide a safe place to work after he suffered serious injuries when a pipe fell on his head.

Robert Guthrie filed suit against Romeo Papa, Energy Partners Ltd. d/b/a Energy Partners of Delaware Ltd. and United Production & Construction Services Inc. on Oct. 19 in federal court in New Orleans.

The accident occurred on Sept. 28, 2008 while Guthrie was employed by United Production & Construction Services as a rigger. On the day at issue, he was working as a borrowed employee of Romeo Papa aboard the rig at Eugene Island 277. Guthrie states he suffered serious and permanent injuries when a pipe fell and hit him in the head.

Guthrie is seeking damages for physical pain and mental anguish, physical impairment, loss of earnings and wage earning capacity, medical expenses, maintenance and cure and interest.

He is represented by Timothy J. Young of The Young Firm in New Orleans and Brian Beckcom of Vujasinovic & Beckcom in Houston. A jury trial is requested.

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

Case No. 2:10-cv-03874