Airboat owner sued after worker slips and falls in mud

NEW ORLEANS - A Jefferson Parish resident has filed a lawsuit against his employer claiming that he was injured when he slipped in mud on an airboat and fell.

Rod D. Thommassie, Sr. filed suit against Williams Mid-South Pipelines and Williams Petroleum Pipeline Services on Nov. 13 in federal court in New Orleans.

The alleged incident occurred on Nov. 16, 2011 as Thommassie was assisting in the operations of an airboat owned and operated by the defendants. While he was attempting to climb aboard the airboat, he slipped and fell on mud and other debris on the deck of the airboat. He allegedly suffered injuries to his left arm and internal body systems.

The defendant is accused of negligence for failing to supervise its employees, failing to warn about the dangers of workers being exposed to unsafe conditions aboard its vessels and equipment used in marshland construction settings, failing to properly train or supervise its employees, failing to provide Thommassie with a safe place to work and requiring him to work in unsafe conditions, failing to adequately equip its vessel with proper equipment required to perform certain operations, and for failing to warn about unsafe conditions aboard its vessel or equipment.

The plaintiff is asking for an award of damages for physical pain and suffering, mental pain, suffering, and anguish, medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, loss of enjoyment of life, court costs, interest, and attorney’s fees.

Thommassie is represented by Gretna attorney Ronna M. Steele.

U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:12-cv-02750