Deckhand sues after slipping in grease on engine room floor

NEW ORLEANS - After suffering injuries when he slipped in oil and grease on the floor of an engine room, a deckhand has filed a lawsuit against his employer claiming the floor was not properly maintained.

Shane T. Kerner filed the lawsuit against Gnots-Reserve Inc. and its insurer XYZ Insurance Co. on Jan. 25 in federal court in New Orleans.

The alleged incident occurred on Sept. 30, 2011 while Kerner was employed as a deckhand and assigned to the M/V Tiger. He states he was walking down the stairs into the engine room, stepped onto the floor/deck and while walking and a floor opening caused him to fall. Kerner argues that the accident was caused by poor lighting in the engine room and an improperly maintained floor.

The defendant is accused of negligence for failing to provide a proper and safe workplace aboard the M/V Tiger, failing to properly inspect the engine room, failing to repair and maintain the engine room floor so as to remedy its defects, failing to properly maintain and repair the vessel, provision and use of a hazardous and unsafe engine room floor, and failing to properly and adequately clean the vessel.

The plaintiff is asking the court for an award of damages for medical expenses, loss of employability, loss of income and wages, impaired earning capacity, loss of insurability, pain and suffering, disability, emotional and psychological anguish and distress, loss of enjoyment of life, maintenance and cure, interest and court courts.

Kerner is represented by Metairie attorney Richard J. Fernandez.

U.S. District Judge Stanwood R. Duval, Jr. is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:12-cv-00250