A Wilmington, Del. man is suing two Louisiana corporations following an accident onboard their towing vessel that allegedly left him with injuries.
Patrick D. Cross filed a complaint Aug. 25 in the New Orleans Division of the Eastern District of Louisiana against Magnolia Fleet, LLC and River Tug LLC, alleging negligence.
The complaint alleges that on May 7, 2013, while Cross was employed by the defendants as a relief captain onboard their towing vessel, the Creole Chief, he slipped and fell on a defective deck hatch on the port stern of the vessel.
The complaint alleges that the defendants were negligent in their failure to provide safer working conditions, which resulted in injuries to Cross's lumbar spine, which has required three separate operative treatments.
He has also sustained injuries to his nervous system, suffered psychological damage and mental anguish, incurred and will continue to incur medical expenses, and has lost wages and earning capacity as a result of these injuries, according to the complaint.
Cross seeks damages in the amount of $6 million, plus attorney fees and court costs. He is represented by Lawrence N. Curtis of Lafayette and Anthony S. Pinnie of Media, Penn.
New Orleans Division of the Eastern District of Louisiana case number 2:15-cv-03775-LMA-KWR