Transocean sued for not providing appropriate care to worker with chest pains

A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed by the wife of a seaman who suffered fatal injuries due to lack of receiving medical treatment after experiencing chest pains and heart-related symptoms.

Elaine Killingsworth, individually and on behalf of her deceased husband, Winford Killingsworth, filed suit against GlobalSantaFe Offshore Services, Transocean Offshore USA Inc. and Transocean Deepwater Drilling Inc. on Oct. 19 in federal court in New Orleans.

The incident occurred in July 2010 as Winford Killingsworth was working for the defendants as a seaman aboard the Discoverer Seven Seas.

According to the lawsuit, Killingsworth experienced chest pains and heart related symptoms while working aboard the vessel and reported the problems to his employer. He died on July 19 due to the heart-related condition, specifically lack of and/or improper medical treatment, the complaint states.

The defendants are accused of failing to provide and delaying attempts to provide medical treatment, providing improper medical treatment through selected physicians and health care facilities, failing to provide a properly certified and qualified medic aboard the vessel, failing to provide proper medical equipment and medications and breach of applicable regulations and industry standards.

The plaintiff argues the defendants are liable for any acts of medical negligence and/or improper treatments.

The lawsuit is seeking damages for physical, mental and emotional pain and suffering, loss of wages, fringe benefits and wage earning capacity, interest and court costs.

Killingsworth is represented by Timothy J. Young, Robert J. Young, Jr. and Jason MacFetters of The Young Firm in New Orleans. A jury trial is represented.

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

Case No. 2:10-cv-03864