GRETNA – A former pipe cleaner is suing a number of oil companies for allegedly exposing him to radioactive materials.
Chad Bourg filed suit against Exxon Mobil Corporation, Exxon Mobil Oil Corporation, Chevron USA Inc., Devon Energy Production Company LP, ConocoPhillips Company, BP Products North America Inc., BP America Production Company, Shell Oil Company, Marathon Oil Company LLC, Atlantic Richfield Company, OFS Inc., Packard Pipe Terminals LLC and Intracoastal Tubular Services in the 24th Judicial District Court on Feb. 5.
Bourg claims that from 1980 until 1986 he was employed by Tuboscope Vetco International working as a drilling pipe cleaner at various pipe cleaning yards in Southeast Louisiana.
Bourg alleges that once radioactive materials became airborne he breathed them in and ingested them causing him to be exposed to unsafe levels of radiation. The plaintiff asserts this exposure was at injurious levels, although it is unclear if he has showed signs of any illness.
The defendant is accused of negligently exposing employees to known hazardous materials.
An unspecified amount in damages is sought for increased fear of cancer, physical anguish, mental anguish, medical expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of income, loss of wage earning capacity and medical monitoring.
Bourg is represented by Jeremiah A. Sprague of the Marrero-based Falcon Law Firm.
The case has been assigned to Division K Judge Ellen Shirer Kovach.
Case no. 746-446.
Oil companies accused of exposing man to radioactive materials three decades ago, causing “fear of cancer”
ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY