Seaman sues after slipping in hydraulic fluid

After slipping in hydraulic fluid and falling, a seaman is suing his employer for not providing a safe place to work.

Daryl Lamond Peyton filed a Jones Act lawsuit against Offshore Liftboats on Jan. 12 in federal court in New Orleans.

The accident occurred on Dec. 17, 2010 as Peyton was employed by the defendant as a seaman aboard the M/V Audrey. Peyton states he was performing certain tasks on the leg tower of the vessel and was using a ladder to gain access. According to the lawsuit, as Peyton descended from the last rung of the ladder onto the deck, he slipped in hydraulic fluid on the deck and fell.

The defendant is accused of negligence for failing to provide a safe place to work, for breaching its absolute duty to provide Peyton with maintenance and cure and for the unseaworthy condition of the vessel.

Peyton is seeking damages for medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, physical disfigurement, lost earnings, loss of found damages, maintenance and cure, attorney's fees, interest and court costs.

He is represented by Steve Gordon of Gordon, Elias & Seely in Houston.

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

Case No. 2:11-cv-00060