BP sued over seaman's crushed finger

After his finger was crushed by a falling engine, a seaman has filed a lawsuit against his employer for allegedly not providing the proper equipment to hold up the engine.

Phillip J. Caulfield filed suit against DRC Emergency Services, Henry Dupre and BP America Production Co. on Aug. 5 in federal court in New Orleans.

The accident occurred on Aug. 5, 2010 as Caulfield was employed as a seaman aboard a vessel owned by the defendants. He states he sustained severe and disabling injuries when the vessel's engine was being changed, the vessel moved and the suspended engine and A-frame fell, crushing Caulfield's left index finger between the vessel and the engine.

The defendant is accused of negligence for failing to provide Caulfield with a safe place in which to work, failing to warn of the dangerous condition, failing to provide proper equipment or personnel to accomplish his job, failing to provide competent and adequate supervisory authority, hiring untrained and unskilled employees, retaining employees found to be careless or unskilled, failing to properly man the vessel and failing to provide prompt and adequate medical care.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for physical injuries, medical expenses, mental anguish, disability, maintenance, cure, interest, attorney's fees and court costs.

Caulfield is represented by David Whitmore and Lawrence Blake Jones of Scheuermann & Jones of New Orleans.

U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:11-cv-01891