Wife of deceased worker claims husband was denied medical care during heart attack

NEW ORLEANS - The wife of a deceased Mexican national has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against her husband's employer claiming that the company denied her husband medical care while he was having a heart attack.

Elsa Vazquez Torres, individually and as representative of the Estate of Anastasios Makris, filed suit against Chios Star ENE, Harbor Shipping & Trading SA, and Sunrise Shipping Agency Inc., in personam and M/V Chios Star, in rem. on Feb. 28 in federal court in New Orleans.

According to the lawsuit, Makris was working as an engineer on board the M/V Chios Star on Jan. 30, 2010 while alongside a Louisiana terminal. He suffered chest pain while working and requested medical assistance. The defendants are accused of denying or delaying the necessary medical treatment, which resulted in Makris succumbing to a heart attack, the suit claims.

The defendants are accused of negligence for failing to render medical care in a prudent and prompt manner, failing to take precautions for the decedent's safety, failing to provide a safe place to work and for failing to properly train crew members or provide adequate crew.

The plaintiff is asking for an award of damages for loss of care and maintenance support services, loss of positive benefits, emotional pain, torment and suffering, medical expenses, financial contributions for support and services, loss of inheritance and interest.

Torres is represented by Walter J. Ledger and Franklin Shaw of Leger & Shaw in New Orleans.

U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:12-cv-00541