Commercial diver sues employer after suffering decompression illness

NEW ORLEANS - A commercial diver has filed a lawsuit against his employer claiming he suffered a decompression illness following a dive.

Ramon Hernandez filed suit against Divcon on Aug. 19 in federal court in New Orleans.

The alleged incident occurred on June 26 while Hernandez was employed by the defendant as a commercial diver. He states he sustained hyperbaric injury, among other injuries.

The defendant is accused of negligent for failing to properly equip, man, provision, maintain and operate the vessels under its control, failing to properly and reasonably select and implement and overall plan to complete the tasks at hand in a safe and non-hazardous manner, failing to provide a safe and non-hazardous workplace, failing to provide training and instruction to Hernandez’s fellow crew members, for failing to provide Hernandez with appropriate decompression following the dives, and for failing to provide appropriate medical care and treatment.

The plaintiff is seeking an award of damages for psychological damage, severe emotional trauma, loss of life’s pleasures, permanent impairment, loss of earning capacity, disability, loss of wages, physical pain, mental anguish, medical expenses, maintenance and cure, and court costs.

Hernandez is represented by Bobby J. Delise of Delise & Hall in New Orleans and Alton J. Hall, Jr. of Delise & Hall in Covington.

U.S. District Judge Ivan L. R. Lemelle is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:13-cv-05486