Deckhand sues after falling through engine room deck plate

NEW ORLEANS - A deckhand has filed a lawsuit against his employer claiming it failed to adequately inspect all deck plates aboard the vessel causing him to fall and sustain severe injuries.

Stephen Carney filed suit against Florida Marine Transporters Inc. on Oct. 1 in federal court in New Orleans.

The alleged incident occurred on Dec. 17, 2011 as Carney was employed by Florida marine as a deckhand/tankerman aboard the M/V Ms. Lauren Elizabeth. He was performing maintenance operations in the engine room of the vessel when he stepped through a deck plate that was not screwed in and not secured. He claims he fell and sustained severe and disabling injuries to his back, hip and leg.

The defendant is accused of negligence of failing to provide Carney with a safe place to work, failing to adequately inspect its vessel and keep it in a safe and operable condition, failing to adequately inspect all deck plates aboard the vessel to confirm they were locked-in, secured, and in all respects safe, failing to maintain an engine room free from hazards, failing to adequately train or supervise crew members, and failing to provide adequate manning for the tasks at hand.

Carney is seeking damages for loss of wages, impairment of earning capacity, physical pain and suffering, mental and emotional pain and suffering, medical expenses, maintenance, cure, found, loss of enjoyment of life, interest, and court costs.

The plaintiff is represented by Conrad S.P. Williams III and J. Christopher Zainey Jr. of Williams Law Group in Houma and R. Kevin Hamilton of The Hamilton Law Firm in Meridian in Mississippi.

U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:12-cv-02414