Cook sues after suffering injuries when personnel basket bounces on deck

A vessel's cook has filed a lawsuit that claims he was injured because of a non-certified crane operator who caused a personnel basket to bounce on the deck of the vessel.

William E. Doyle filed suit against Bisso Marine Co. Inc. on Jan. 5 in federal court in New Orleans.

Doyle states he was injured on April 17, 2011 while he was being transferred from the M/V Mighty Chief in a personnel basket due to rough seas. According to his complaint, Doyle was being lowered in the basket, when the basket struck the deck of the vessel causing it to bounce approximately six feet. Doyle fell onto his lower back and suffered severe and disabling injuries.

The defendant is accused of negligence for its crane operator who was non-certified.

The plaintiff is asking the court for an award of damages for physical pain and mental anguish, loss of wages, loss of capacity to work and earn money, medical expenses, physical impairment, loss of ability to perform household services, interest and court costs.

Doyle is represented by Hunt B. Downer Jr. and Mary W. Riviere of Waitz & Downer in Houma. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:12-cv-00031