NEW ORLEANS - A seaman who fell off of scaffolding due to his entanglement with tools has filed a lawsuit against his employer that claims he was not provided proper equipment to perform his job.
Kevin Pitre filed suit against Custom Fab of Louisiana, Oceaneering International Inc., BP Exploration and Production Inc., and Transocean Offshore USA Inc. on April 27 in federal court in New Orleans.
The accident occurred on Dec. 18, 2012 while Pitre was working aboard the Development Driller III atop the scaffold. He states that he was operating an electric grinding tool attached to a lanyard when the cord became caught in the grinder mechanism. Pitre was knocked off balance and fell toward the deck of the work area.
The defendants are accused of negligence for failing to properly supervise its employees, failing to warn about the dangers aboard the Development Driller III, failing to properly train or supervise the plaintiff and other employees, failing to provide a safe place to work, requiring Pitre to work in unsafe conditions, and for failing to adequately equip the Development Driller III vessel with proper equipment required to perform certain operations.
The plaintiff is asking the Court for an award of damages for physical pain and suffering, mental pain, suffering, and anguish, medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, disfigurement and disability, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent residual disability, interest, maintenance, cure, attorney's fees, and court costs.
Pitre is represented by Gretna attorneys Ronna M. Steele and Brian C. Beckwith.
U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo is assigned to the case.
Case No. 2:12-cv-01074
Seaman sues after falling off of scaffolding
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