Deckhand sues after being struck by broken equipment

A deckhand aboard a fishing vessel has filed a lawsuit after he was struck by broken equipment.

Hai Van Nguyen filed suit against Truong Phi Inc. and The F/V Captain Truong Phi on July 28 in federal court in New Orleans.

According to the lawsuit, on July 6, Nguyen was in the vessel's engine room working on broken hydraulic equipment when the captain started steering the boat, which caused a piece of equipment to strike Nguyen in the chest. Nguyen states he suffered serious injuries and remained in intensive care for more than two weeks.

The defendant is accused of negligence for operating the vessel while Nguyen was in the vicinity of the hydraulic equipment.

The plaintiff is asking for an award of $2.1 million in damages for personal injuries, lost wages, medical expenses, punitive damages, plus interest and court costs. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:11-cv-01826