Vietnamese fishermen attack results in lawsuit

GRETNA – Two fisherman who claim they were aboard a vessel when they were attacked by two other fisherman who had weapons are suing.

Thanh Van Nguyen and Sang Phan filed suit against Hung Do and Tho Tran in the 24th Judicial District Court on Feb. 24.

Nguyen and Phan are commercial fishermen who own shrimp boats that are docked at Dtcharo’s Shrimp Dock in Plaquemines Parish.

According to the suit, they were aboard one of Phan’s shrimp vessels on May 18, 2012, when Do and Tran allegedly boarded the boat and viciously attacked them. The plaintiffs claim Tran pushed Nguyen off the boat and then cut Phan in the face and thumb with a knife.

Do allegedly hit Nguyen with a board while he was in the water and struck Phan with a metal frame net.

The defendant is accused of using physical force, possessing and using dangerous weapons and violent crimes, including aggravated second degree battery for which they were allegedly arrested.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for medical treatment, physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, public humiliation, embarrassment, loss of enjoyment of life, lost wages and punitive damages.

Nguyen and Phan are represented by Caitlin Morgenstern of New Orleans-based Koch & Schmidt LLC.

The case has been assigned to Division B Judge Cornelius E. Regan.

Case no. 735-864.