Beaumont worker blames fall from ladder on dirty deck

After a ladder slipped from place and a Beaumont worker fell, a cargo supervision company is being sued for allowing the deck of a vessel to become dirty and slippery.

Clemente Flores, Jr. filed suit against BBC Chartering USA and Boumans & Associates Inc. on Sept. 25, 2011. The defendants removed the case to federal court in New Orleans on Jan. 5.

The alleged incident occurred on Sept. 18, 2010 as Flores was employed by Shippers Stevedoring and helping to unload the Jan Van Gent, a heavy-lift ship that was docked at the Port of Beaumont. Flores states he was climbing up a ladder from the hold to the deck of the ship, when the ladder slipped and he fell to the deck below.

He claims he broke his leg and right heel and has subsequently, developed a bone infection. Even though the ladder was being held by two workers, Flores claims that the ladder slipped on the dirty and littered deck of the hold.

The plaintiff is asking the court for an award of loss of earnings and wage-earning capacity, medical expenses, physical impairment, pain, suffering, mental anguish, interest and court costs.

Flores is represented by Beaumont attorney Steven C. Barkley. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone is assigned to the case.

Case No. 1:12-cv-00012