Steele
NEW ORLEANS - A deckhand is suing BP after he injured his shoulder while attempting to pull in oil-saturated cleanup materials.
Rene Roussell filed suit against Danos and Curole Marine Staffing and BP Exploration and Production Inc. on March 15 in federal court in New Orleans.
Roussell was employed as a marine pilot, deckhand and maritime worker aboard the M/V Rose, which was working to transit oil absorbing "pom-poms" in connection with environmental cleanup duties.
Roussell states that he was injured on Aug. 17, 2010 while pulling on ropes to transit oil-saturated "pom-poms."
He allegedly re-injured his right arm and shoulder, which was injured about two months prior to this incident.
Defendants Danos and Curole Marine Staffing are accused of negligence for failing to properly supervise its employees, failing to properly train or supervise the plaintiff, failing to provide Roussell with a safe place to work and requiring him to work in unsafe conditions and for failing to adequately equip vessels used by its employees.
Defendant BP is accused of negligence for failing to supervise its employees, failing to properly screen, train, or supervise its employees, failing to provide a safe place to work, failing to adequately equip vessels used in its cleanup operations with proper equipment and sufficient personnel and for permitting personnel aboard the M/V Legend to operate the vessel in an impaired condition.
The plaintiff is asking for an award of damages for physical pain and suffering, mental pain, suffering and anguish, medical expenses, lost wages, lost found, loss of future earning capacity, loss of fringe benefits, disfigurement and disability, loss of enjoyment of life, maintenance and cure, interest, attorney's fees and court costs.
Roussell is represented by Gretna attorney Ronna M. Steele. A jury trial is requested.
U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier is assigned to the case.
Case No. 2:12-cv-00714