Painter sues Stone Energy after injuring lower back

A painter has filed a personal injury lawsuit against his employer after he injured his lower back while attempting to pull a paint bucket up from another vessel.

Claiming unsafe working conditions, Willie B. Verrett filed suit against Stone Energy Offshore, Stone Energy Corp. and Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. on July 11 in federal court in New Orleans.

The alleged incident occurred on July 10, 2010 as Willie Verrett was assigned to perform work on a gas pipeline production platform. He states he injured his lower back while he was leaning over the handrail and manually pulling up a rope attached to a "paint pot" which was on a vessel.

The defendant is accused of negligence for failing to provide an operable crane or other mechanized means to life equipment and supplies to the platform from the vessel, failing to provide a safe place to work, failing to warn of unsafe working conditions, failing to remedy, correct or remove unsafe working conditions, failing to train and supervise their employees and failing to follow applicable safety guidelines and regulations.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for medical expenses, loss of earnings and impaired earning capacity, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional trauma, disability, scarring and disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, interest, attorney's fees and court costs.

Verrett is represented by David L. Bateman of Bateman Law Firm in Baton Rouge. A jury trial is requested.

Case No. 2:11-cv-01623