A boat rental company and a marine services company are being sued for $2.5 million by an employee who slipped while walking down stairs.
Claiming the companies are negligent, Butch Buras filed suit against TLC Boat Rental Inc. and Wahoo Marine Services on Dec. 6 in federal court in New Orleans.
Buras was working as a seaman aboard an offshore boat, Wahoo #3, on June 27, when the alleged incident occurred. After washing off the deck of the boat, Buras attempted to climb down the stairs to enter the engine room of the vessel. He slipped on the surface of the steps, due to his wet boots and the lack of non-skid strips on the step.
The defendants are accused of failing to provide sufficient standing, failing to provide sufficient deckhands, failing to maintain the deck, failing to install safety features on the stairs, failing to adequately train employees and crew members and failing to provide a seaworthy vessel.
The plaintiff is seeking damages for lost wages, medical expenses, maintenance and cure, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, general damages, court costs and interest.
Buras is represented by Edward J. Womac, Jr., Brian King, and Jason F. Giles of Edward J. Womac Jr. & Associates in New Orleans.
U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt is assigned to the case.
Case No. 2:11-cv-03001
Seaman seeks $2.5 million after slipping down stairs due to wet boots
ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY