Crewmember sues after smashing fingers

After injuring her fingers on an anchor rope, a crewmember has filed a lawsuit against a vessel's captain for failing to inform her of the risks associated with the task.

Rhonda Dardar Jackson filed suit against Andrew Chaisson, Lawson Environmental Services & Response Co. and Lawson Environmental Service on Jan. 7 in federal court in New Orleans.

Jackson was an employee of the defendant and assigned to work as a crewmember on the M/V Captain Andrew. She states she injured her fingers after she was ordered to handle the anchor line. Jackson's fingers were smashed between the rope and the bit on the bow.

At the time of the accident, the vessel was working to remove oil containment boom material from navigable waters.

The defendant is accused of negligence for failing to provide a safe place to work, failing to follow safety precautions in the operation and employment of its equipment, personnel and vessels, failing to carefully inspect the vessel and its deck for deficiencies, failing to properly train and supervise its employees and failing to have an adequate crew.

The defendant is also accused of failing to maintain the vessel and failing to comply with safety standards and governmental safety regulations.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for medical expenses, rehabilitative expenses, lost income, wages, benefits and other compensation, loss of earnings capacity, loss of insurability, physical pain and suffering, mental and emotional anguish and distress, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, court costs, maintenance and cure, interest, attorney's fees and court costs.

Jackson is represented by Patrick H. Yancey of the Law Office of
Patrick Yancey in Houma.

Case No. 2:11-cv-00035