Jones Act lawsuit filed against Chet Morrison

A Louisiana resident has filed a lawsuit against his employer after he was injured during a commercial dive.

Mark Lidikay filed the Jones Act lawsuit against Chet Morrison Contractors on Jan. 20 in federal court in New Orleans.

The incident occurred on April 29, 2009 as Lidikay was working as a commercial diver aboard the dive vessel Miss Joann. Lidikay claims he sustained serious debilitating personal injuries in the incident which he claims was caused the unsafe and unseaworthy condition of the vessel.

The defendant is accused of failing to provide Lidikay with a safe place to work, failing to conduct and follow a properly planned pre-dive safety job analysis and failing to provide proper equipment and anadequate and qualified, competent crew to safely execute the contemplated task.

Lidikay is seeking damages for physical and mental pain and suffering, mental anguish and emotional distress, loss of wages and benefits, impairment of earning capacity, medical expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent disability and impairment of bodily function, interest and court costs.

He is represented by Thomas L. Gaudry, Jr., Daryl A Higgins and A. Mark Flake of Gaudry, Ranson, Higgins & Gremillion in New Orleans.

U.S. District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:11-cv-00126