NEW ORLEANS - An offshore chef who tripped over a pot of turkey stock and suffered second and third degree burns, has filed a lawsuit against his employer for creating a distraction in his work area.
Eric Fincke filed suit against Aramark Food Service Corp., Transocean Offshore Ventures Inc., and Transocean USA Inc. on July 10 in federal court in New Orleans.
The accident occurred on July 14, 2011 as Fincke was working for Aramark as a chef manager aboard a semi-submersible vessel. Fincke states he was injured while he was preparing turkey stock for the next day's meal. He claims that he placed the stock on the deck of the vessel and was distracted by another crewmember causing him to trip over the pot. He suffered bilateral second and third degree burns.
The defendant is accused of negligence by failing to provide a safe work place, creating a distraction in Fincke's work area, creating unsafe working conditions, failing to provide adequate amount of employees to perform the job, creating a hazardous work environment by requiring special treatment and preparations for Transocean executives, failing to properly treat Fincke's wounds, and for failing to transport Fincke to a certified burn unit.
The plaintiff is asking the Court for an award of damages for physical injury, pain and suffering, extreme fright, mental injury, mental anguish, distress, loss of earnings and earning capacity, disability, scarring, interest, and court costs.
Fincke is represented by Aaron W. Guidry of Porter & Guidry in Lafayette.
U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance is assigned to the case.
Case No. 2:12-cv-01791