Wrongful death lawsuit filed over leak at Exxon oil refinery

A wrongful death lawsuit has filed against Exxon regarding a contractor's death at its Chalmette Refining plant in October.

Alison Starkey, individually and on behalf of the estate of Gregory Starkey and her minor children, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chalmette Refining on Oct. 20 in St. Bernard Parish District Court. The defendants removed the case to New Orleans federal court on Nov. 3.

Gregory Starkey was working as an employee of TEAM Industrial Services at the refinery on Oct. 6 when he sustained severe injuries which resulted in his death.

The defendants are accused of failing to provide a safe place to work, failing to provide safe and sufficient gear, failing to inform Gregory Starkey of the dangers of which he was not aware, failing to provide proper safety and monitoring equipment and failing to provide sufficient and competent personnel and supervision regarding the decedent's activities.

The plaintiff is seeking more than $12 million in damages for her husband's wrongful death, his physical pain and suffering, mental pain and suffering, loss of future support and services, loss of consortium and mental pain and suffering.

Starkey is represented by Hugh P. Lambert, Linda J. Nelson and Cayce C. Peterson of Lambert & Nelson in New Orleans. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge A. J. McNamara is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:10-cv-04178