Charbonnet
NEW ORLEANS - A seaman has filed a lawsuit seeking $1.5 million from his employer claiming that it failed to repair a catwalk which caused him to trip on a piece of cable and fall into the water.
Tyrone Lewis filed suit against Chet Morrison Contractors on Nov. 16 in federal court in New Orleans.
The alleged incident occurred on Nov. 5, 2012 as Lewis was engaged in wrapping buoy on a barge. When one of the buoys fell out of place, Lewis walked on the catwalk in an effort to retrieve the buoy and some broken tubing located on the catwalk caught his pants. Lewis tripped and fell onto a piece of cable and then into the water. He injured his arm, neck and back in the fall.
The defendant is accused of negligence for failing to provide Lewis with a safe place to work and with a seaworthy vessel that could have avoided Lewis' injuries. Chet Morrison Contractors is accused of failing to repair the catwalk or have non-skid or grating on the catwalk.
The plaintiff is asking for an award of $1.5 million in damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional stress and strain, loss of earning capacity, loss of enjoyment of life, maintenance, cure, interest, and attorney's fees.
Lewis is represented by New Orleans attorneys Darleen M. Jacobs and Kenny M. Charbonnet.
U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown is assigned to the case.
Case No. 2:12-cv-02788