A man injured while loading equipment on a barge is suing the vessel's owners and operators.
Michael Duvall filed a complaint for damages June 30 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Bopco LP, Pro-Tow Marine LLC and Eagle Consulting LLC.
Duvall, while working on Feb. 15 for Pioneer Coiled Tubing Services LLC, was injured when his "right hand was crushed while loading a vessel" owned or operated by the defendants on a spud barge called the T.T.I.-1, the lawsuit states.
Pioneer's workers were loading the barge with a split skid pump that was going to be used on a disposal well offshore, the lawsuit states.
As a result, the lawsuit states, Duvall's right hand's index finger and middle finger were crushed, leading to the amputation of his index finger, as well as long-term impairments and disabilities to both fingers and medical expenses, and pain and suffering.
The defendants are accused of violating turnover duty, active control duty, safety policy and the duty to intervene, as well as for their failure to exercise due care, use safe equipment, warn the plaintiff of a hidden or latent danger, provide a safe workplace, provide a seaworthy vessel, comply with hydraulic lift motor manufacturer's recommendations, properly maintain the vessel, conduct adequate inspections, and supervise employees
The plaintiff seeks damages in excess of $500,000, plus costs. The plaintiff is represented by Dave T. Johnson of the Johnson Law Office in Eunice.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana case number 2:15-cv-02404-MLCF-JCW.