Man sues ex-employer over injuries suffered on ship

A maritime worker has sued his former employer, alleging injuries suffered on one of its ships.

Carlos Davis filed a lawsuit April 28 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Silverton Construction Co., citing negligence.

According to the complaint, on Jan. 2, 2014, Davis suffered "serious, permanent and disabling injuries" when he fell through an open manhole while working on a vessel owned by Silverton.

The suit states "Plaintiff’s injuries occurred due to the negligence of his employer in failing to remedy a chronically leaking work barge which necessitated frequent pumping to prevent the vessel from sinking, performing pumping operations through an open manhole in the deck of said work barge and leaving the open manhole without putting in place warnings, barricades, caution tape and such other negligent acts and/or omissions as may come to light during the discovery phase of this case, all of which led to Davis falling into said open manhole and sustaining serious personal injuries."

The plaintiff cites past and future medical expenses, past and future lost wages and/or loss of earning capacity, past and future physical pain and suffering, and past and future anguish, distress, disability, disfigurement and loss of life enjoyment.

Davis seeks untabulated damages, plus costs. He is represented by attorney Scott E. Silbert of Silbert, Garon, Pitre and Friedman in New Orleans.

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana case number: 2:15-cv-01379-MVL-JCW.