Seaman sues claiming back injury due to pulling tackle aboard vessel

NEW ORLEANS  - A seaman is suing his employer claiming he can no longer work after he injured his back while manually pulling towing tackle aboard a vessel.

Frank Zinich filed suit against Enterprise Products Co. and Enterprise Marine Services on June 26 in federal court of New Orleans.

Zinich was employed by Enterprise Products as a seaman and assigned to the crew of the M/V “C.E.”

He claims he was injured during the process of manually pulling aboard and securing the towing tackle attached to the Enterprise Barge. Zinich states he sustained injuries to his back, neck and was rendered unable to work.

The defendants are accused of negligence for failing to provide proper safety equipment, failing to provide proper furnishing and equipment on the barge, including winches and catheads, failing to design and complete the job in the safest manner, failing to adequately inspect its vessels and keep them in a safe and operable condition, and failing to adequately train or supervise crew members.

The defendants are also accused of negligence for failing to properly equip its crew members, failing to properly man, maintain and operate all equipment, appurtenances and furnishings, failing to properly and reasonably select and implement an overall plan, failing to provide a safe workplace and for failing to devise and implement an adequate crew safety protocol and safety watch.

The plaintiff is seeking an award of damages for loss of wages and employment benefits, found, impairment of earning capacity, physical pain and suffering, medical expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, punitive damages, interest, maintenance and cure, and court costs.

Zinich is represented by Conrad S.P. Williams III and Meredith R. Durham of Williams Law Group LLC in New Orleans.

U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:13-cv-04910