Paramedic sues BP after suffering injuries when Fast Boat hits wave

A paramedic working offshore for BP has filed a lawsuit that claims he was severely injured due to the lack of safety restraints aboard a Fast Boat.

Timothy LeJeune filed suit against Production Services Network U.S. Inc., BP America Inc., BP Products North America Inc., Joe Cataloni and Chill Boats on Oct. 2 in federal court in New Orleans.

The alleged incident occurred on Oct. 4, 2010 as LeJeune was working as a paramedic and assigned to work aboard the decontamination barge Decon I. In order to make a run back to the docks that night, LeJeune placed on a life jacket and boarded a Fast Boat. LeJeune states the vessel was traveling at approximately 42 RPM when it hit a 4 or 5 foot wake causing him to be thrown into the air. He landed on his arm, shoulder and neck on the floor. The injuries required surgery, the suit claims.

The defendants are accused of negligence for failing to provide LeJeune with a safe place to work, failing to provide safe transportation to and from Decon I and the dock, failing to properly operate the Fast Boat, failing to use the proper safety equipment during navigation, failing to properly position LeJeune in a safe position, negligently failing to take precautionary measures during night and during rough seas and failing to provide a safety harness or restraint.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, mental and emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, interest, maintenance and cure, attorney's fees and court costs.

LeJeune is represented by Brad Thomas Andrus of Andrus & Andrus in Lafayette and Michael C. Davis of Davis Law Firm in Prairieville.

Case No. 2:11-cv-02482