NEW ORLEANS - After the vessel he was aboard collided into another vessel, an East Baton Rouge Parish man has filed a lawsuit claiming the boat's owners failed to heed electronic data which indicated that a collision was imminent.
Donald Williams filed suit against Parker Drilling Offshore USA & Boat Service of Galveston Inc. on Oct. 18 in federal court in New Orleans.
The collision occurred on Dec. 20, 2011 while Williams was a passenger on board the “MS Cissy” an inspected passenger vessel.
The vessel collided with an inspected passenger vessel, the “Trisha-Kay,” which was operated by the defendant Boat Service of Galveston near the Gulf of Mexico.
The defendants are accused of negligence for failing to maintain a proper lookout, failing to issue collision warnings, failing to pay attention to electronic data indicating collisions were imminent and failing to exercise the required degree of seamanship commensurate with the existing navigation situation.
The plaintiff is seeking damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses, loss of earnings, disability, interest, and court costs.
Williams is represented by Kirk A. Guidry and Randolf A. Piedrahita of Due, Price, Guidry, Piedrahita & Andrews in Baton Rouge. A jury trial is requested.
U.S. District Judge Martin L. C. Feldman is assigned to the case.
Case No. 2:12-cv-02509
Passenger sues vessel owners for failing to heed electronic data
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