Couple claims infectious disease due to conditions aboard ship, file Jones Act lawsuit

GRETNA – A seaman claiming he contracted an infectious disease and a woman who claims he then passed it on to her are suing his employer

Norman Creppel and Melissa Lecompte filed suit against B.N. Barrios & Sons LLC and Total Marine Logistics LLC in the 24th Judicial District Court on June 17.

Creppel claims he was working a seaman aboard the T/B Tiffany G. Barrios that is owned by the defendants when he contracted a staph infection that caused permanent damage to his back and has left him in constant pain and necessitated medical treatment. Lecompte alleges that she received the same infection from Creppel.

The defendant is accused of failing to properly train and maintain a competent master and crew, failing to provide a safe place to work, failing to properly clean and maintain the vessel and failing to provide a vessel free of infectious bacteria.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for physical pain and suffering, loss of function, medical expenses, loss of wages and permanent disability.

Creppel and Lecompte are represented by attorney R. Brent Cueria of New Orleans.

The case has been assigned to Division J Judge Stephen C. Grefer.

Case no. 728-055.