Louisiana Workers Compensation Corporation files suit against company for accident that injured five workers

GRETNA – A statewide workers' compensation fund is suing a number of defendants for recovery of funds paid out to workers injured in a boat accident.

Louisiana Workers Compensation Corporation filed suit against Great Southern Dredging Inc., L&A Contracting Co., Louisiana Delta Marine LLC and the United States of America in the 24th Judicial District Court on Dec. 28.

The Louisiana Workers Compensation Corporation claims that a Louisiana Delta Marine boat collided with a submerged iron beam in Bayou Perot and five workers of Louisiana Delta Oil Company filed claims against the Louisiana Workers Compensation Corporation for workers compensation because Louisiana Delta Marine did not carry insurance.

The defendant is accused of failing to obtain proper permits to perform work in or obstruct bayou Perot, failing to assess the ship being used was fit for its intended purposes, failing to properly inspect or operate the vessel, acting in a careless and negligent manner, failing to take appropriate action to remove all obstructions or to avoid the collision, failing to inspect the work being performed, failing to adequately train and hire personnel, failing to anticipate and observe signs of danger, failing to provide reasonable equipment, failing to remove known obstructions to navigation and using inadequate and defective safety equipment and procedures.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for the claims paid out to the workers involved in the accident.

Louisiana Workers Compensation Corporation is represented by David K. Johnson of Johnson, Stiltner & Rahman of Baton Rouge.

The case has been assigned to Division A Judge Raymond S. Steib Jr.

Case no. 722-493.