Oil spill worker sues after being tossed about on deck of boat

NEW ORLEANS - After being tossed about on a deck of a boat and suffering injuries, an oil spill clean-up worker has filed a lawsuit against her employer for failing to provide a seaworthy vessel.

Victoria Sanchez filed suit against American Pollution Control Corp. on Jan. 19 in federal court in New Orleans.

The incident occurred on July 13, 2010 while Sanchez was working aboard the "No Gas II," a vessel that was performing operations in connection with the Deepwater Horizon incident response efforts and subsequent oil spill.

Sanchez states she was tossed forcefully upon the deck of the boat while attempting to deploy boom material. She claims she suffered serious mental and physical injury.

American Pollution Control is accused of negligence for failing to provide a safe place to work, failing to provide or maintain equipment, and for providing an unseaworthy vessel which was not properly equipped with the appropriate gear and appurtenances.

The plaintiff is asking the Court for an award of damages for mental anguish, pain, disability, impairment, loss of enjoyment of life, lost earnings, loss of earning capacity, medical expenses, maintenance and cure, punitive damages, interest, attorney's fees, and court costs.

Sanchez is represented by Conrad S.P. Williams III and J. Christopher Zainey, Jr. of Williams Law Group in Houma and Jimmy Williamson of Williamson & Rusnak in Houston. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:12-cv-00164