A Tangipahoa Parish seaman is suing his employer, alleging negligence in a 2014 offshore accident which allegedly led to the plaintiff’s permanent injuries.
Jerry D. Franklin Jr. sued Lebeouf Bros. Towing LLC of Bourg, La., in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Louisiana on Sept. 17 alleging maritime negligence and unseaworthiness of its vessel in July 2014.
According to the lawsuit, the complainant, who was employed as a crew member on the H.J. Dupre, sustained severe lower back injuries on or about July 11, 2014, when he attempted to comply with instructions to manually move a 20-foot crossover asphalt transfer hose from the deck of one barge to another without an adequate lifting device.
The suit states that Lebeouf breached its duty when it failed to provide safe equipment, adequate crew and proper supervision.
Arguing that his injuries will require extensive medical treatment and surgical intervention, Riccobono seeks maintenance and cure. The plaintiff avers severe physical and psychological pain, loss of enjoyment of life, lost wages and earning capacity, permanent disability and medical expenses.
Requesting compensation in the amount of $3,650,000, interest, attorney’s fees, expenses and court costs, the plaintiff is represented by Hugh Lambert, Cayce Peterson, Brian Mears, and Jacki Smith of The Lambert Firm in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Louisiana Case 2:15-cv-04506-SSV-SS