Seaman sues after vessel strikes bridge

A seaman has filed a lawsuit against his employer after the vessel he was aboard struck a bridge twice.

Chadwick Thompson filed suit against Bayou Tugs Inc., Russell Naquin and Beverly Naquin d/b/a Bayou Tugs and M/V John G. Morgan on June 6 in federal court in New Orleans.

The incident occurred on March 4, 2011 as Thompson was employed by the defendant on board the M/V John G. Morgan. Thompson states he was injured when the vessel struck the Belle Chase Bridge twice. According to the court documents, the collisions caused Thompson to be thrown forward, knocking him to the floor.

The defendant is accused of negligence, inattention and carelessness for failing to keep proper lookout, traveling at an unsafe speed, inadequate training of the crew, negligently causing, allowing, and permitting the vessel to ram the bridge and negligent failure of Thompson's employer to recognize the unsafe procedures of the vessel.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for lost wages, impaired earning capacity, lost income, medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, mental pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of society and consortium, disfigurement, residual physical disability, limitation of activity, impairment of function, maintenance and cure, interest, punitive damages, and attorney's fees.

Thompson is represented by New Orleans attorney John L. Young.

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

Case No. 2:11-cv-01334