Seaman sues after transfer basket falls onto deck

A seaman has filed a Jones Act lawsuit after he was injured when the crew basket he was being transferred in fell onto the vessel's deck due to severe wind.

Sean Samuel Clements filed suit against Empire Scaffold, BW Offshore USA Inc. and BW Offshore USA Management on Sept. 23 in federal court in New Orleans.

The alleged incident occurred on Sept. 30, 2010 as Clements was employed by the defendants as a seaman aboard the FPSO BW Pioneer. He states he sustained severe and disabling injuries when the crew transfer basket he was in fell onto the deck of the crew boat.

Clements states the basket fell because it was being operated during a period of severe wind.

The defendants are accused of negligence for failing to provide Clements with a safe place to work, failing to warn, discover and correct the dangerous and unsafe conditions of the vessel, creating and maintaining an unseaworthy vessel, failing to properly maintain the vessel and failing to provide Clements with the proper equipment or personnel to accomplish his job in a reasonably safe manner.

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

Clements is represented by Lawrence Blake Jones and David C. Whitmore of Scheuermann & Jones in New Orleans.

U.S. District Judge Ivan L. R. Lemelle is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:11-cv-02396