Transocean employee sues for $2.8 million

A Transocean employee has filed a lawsuit asking for more than $2.8 million after suffering an injury while carrying high pressure hoses.

Ramey S. Butler filed suit against Transocean Offshore Deepwater Drilling Inc., Transocean Deepwater Inc., Transocean Inc. and Transocean Ltd. on March 23 in federal court in New Orleans.

Butler was employed by the defendants as a roustabout on March 24, 2010, when the incident occurred. According to the lawsuit, Butler was carrying high-pressure water hoses up and down stairwells to and from various decks and injured his back, spine and left leg.

The defendants are accused of failing to provide safe and sufficient gear, for general acts of negligence, for a breach of the warranty of seaworthiness, failing to provide sufficient and competent crew to supervise Butler's activities and failing to properly train Butler and the crew.

The plaintiff is seeking more than $2.8 million in damages for loss of wages, loss of earning capacity, medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, mental pain and suffering, permanent disability, loss of enjoyment of life, maintenance and cure and court costs.

Butler is represented by Hugh P. Lambert, Candice C. Sirmon and Cayse C. Peterson of
Lambert & Nelson in New Orleans and Natchez attorney L. Joseph Meng III. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:11-cv-00643