Crane operator sues employer after being struck by counterweight

A heavy equipment operator has filed a lawsuit against his employer after he was struck by a crane's counter weight and suffered debilitating injuries.

Claiming incompetent supervision led to the accident, Shawn Voisine filed suit against Odebrecht Construction Inc. on July 6 in federal court in New Orleans.

The alleged incident occurred on April 1 as Voisine was performing maintenance on a crane owned by the defendant. He states he was struck by a counter weight and was knocked to the deck, suffering injuries to his head, jaw, neck and shoulder.

The defendant is accused of negligence for failing to provide competent supervision, maneuvering a crane when the operator should have known that the plaintiff was performing maintenance on the crane, maneuvering the crane without making sure that it was safe to do so under the prevailing conditions, failing to adequately train its heavy equipment operators in the safe operations of its equipment and having incompetent supervision and insufficient crew to perform the work.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for physical pain and suffering, mental pain and suffering, loss of earnings, loss of earning capacity, medical expenses, disfigurement, loss of
enjoyment of life, disability, interest, and court costs.

Voisine is represented by Stephen P. Bruno of Bruno & Bruno in New Orleans.

U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:11-cv-01589