Bruno
A deckhand has filed a lawsuit against his employer after he allegedly injured his back while trying to pull a wire that was stuck.
Arguing that the captain should have ordered him to cut the wire, Derrick Serignet filed suit against CHS Inc. of Minnesota on Oct. 20 in federal court in New Orleans.
The alleged incident occurred on April 9, as Serignet was working aboard the M/V Elizabeth Ann.
He claims the incident caused "severe, debilitating, disfiguring and permanent injuries to his back."
The defendant is accused of negligence for failing to provide a safe place to work, ordering Serignet to pull on a wire that was stuck rather than cut the wire, ordering Serignet to offload all of the wires on the vessel before it went to dry dock without sufficient assistance and while his back was strained. Serignet also states that there was incompetent supervision on the M/V Elizabeth Ann.
The plaintiff is seeking damages for physical pain and suffering, mental pain and suffering, loss of earnings, loss of earning capacity, medical expenses, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, disability, interest and court costs.
Serignet is represented by Stephen P. Bruno of Bruno & Bruno in New Orleans.
U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey is assigned to the case.
Case No. 2:11-cv-02642