Jeremiah A. Sprague
GRETNA – The son of a deceased oil pipe cleaner has filed suit against numerous defendants for his father's death allegedly due to radiation exposure from oil drilling activities.
Leroy Bottley, III filed suit against Exxon Mobil Corporation, Exxon Mobil Oil Corporation, Humble Oil & Refining Company, Chevron USA, Inc., Marathon Oil Company, Placid Oil Company, Shell Oil Company, Shell Offshore, Inc., Swep, LLP and Intracoastal Tubular Services in the 24th Judicial District Court on Aug. 22. Bottley claims his father, Leroy Bottley, II, worked for Intracoastal Tubular Services from 1978 to 1992. The plaintiff alleges that the defendants exposed his father to radioactive materials through his work cleaning pipes used in oil drilling activities. The hazardous materials in question are known as "naturally occurring radioactive material" created during the drilling process. The plaintiff claims his father's exposure to the hazardous material contributed to his death by cardiac arrest.
The defendants are accused of not revealing exposure to the hazardous materials, failing to properly supervise Bottley's work operations, failing to properly test for hazardous materials, failing to properly dispose of hazardous materials, failing to place markings on contaminated pipes and work areas, acting in a careless and negligent manner and engaging in ultra-hazardous activity.
An unspecified amount in damages is sought for wrongful death and for punitive damages.
Bottley is represented by Jeremiah A. Sprague of the Marrero-based Falcon Law Firm.
Sprague filed a suit on behalf of family members of another former Intracoastal Tubular Services employee on Aug. 16.
The case has been assigned to Division I Judge Nancy A. Miller.
Case no. 718-486.