Family sues after son lost at sea

The parents of a missing Louisiana man have filed a lawsuit against their son's employer claiming the company failed to use proper lifesaving actions, allowing their son to become lost at sea.

Joseph Kennedy and Barbara Kennedy in their own right and on behalf of the estate of Brandon Sentell Mouton filed suit against LaFayette Workboat Rentals on May 4 in federal court in New Orleans.

Brandon Sentell was last seen on July 22, 2010 as he was working as a seaman for the defendant and assigned to a barge that was engaged in the oil spill clean-up off the coast of Louisiana, the Kennedys claim.

According to the lawsuit, Sentell was last seen on the deck of the barge by a worker on a nearby galley boat that was moored alongside the barge. His parents claim he fell from the deck of the vessel and was lost at sea. His body has not been recovered.

The defendant is accused of negligence for failing to employ proper lifesaving actions and procedures to save Brandon Sentell.

The defendant is accused of negligence for failing to properly train its crew members onboard the barge, failing to properly supervise its crew members, failing to provide proper safety equipment, failing to properly equip its crew members, failing to properly man, provision, maintain and operate its equipment and appurtenances on board the barge.

The family is seeking damages for the loss of love, nurture and affection, loss of support, loss of services, mental anguish, loss of society, emotional pain and suffering, interest and court costs.

The Kennedy's are represented by Conrad S.P. Williams III and J. Christopher Zainey, Jr. of Williams Law Group in Houma and Stanton Kyle Sherman of Brandt and Sherman in
Lafayette. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:11-cv-01056