Deckhand sues after injuring foot due to messy work area

NEW ORLEANS - A deckhand has filed a lawsuit against his employer after he injured his foot due to an allegedly messy work area.

Whitney Holloman filed suit against Gnots Inc. on Feb. 2 in federal court in New Orleans.

The alleged incident occurred on Nov. 6, 2011 as Holloman was working aboard the M/V Kool Cat. Holloman injured his right foot due to a "cluttered and disorganized work area."

In a separate incident in September 2011, Holloman injured his right shoulder while trying to remove a wire rope which was securing a barge, his suit claims.

He argues that the accidents were a result of negligent actions by the defendant and defendant's employees.

The plaintiff is asking for an award of damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of income, medical expenses, maintenance and cure, punitive damages, attorney's fees, court costs and interest.

Holloman is represented by Houma attorney Stephen J. Johnson.

U.S. District Judge Mary Vial Lemmon is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:12-cv-00341