An Illinois-based dredge and dock company is suing a Ville Platte resident claiming that he did not suffer any back and spine injuries while employed as a deckhand for the company.
Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Co. LLC filed a lawsuit Aug. 26 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Tracy Collins, alleging that he did not suffer the injuries while working for the company and therefore it is not liable for any maintenance and cure demands in relation to the injuries.
According to the complaint, on or about May 13, Collins, while working as a deckhand at the company’s Venice location, suffered a hand injury while utilizing a chain binder. The lawsuit claims that Collins was treated for his injuries on the same day of the incident. Shortly after he was laid off for failing to reappear for work after taking a scheduled week off, he made a maintenance and cure demand against Great Lakes for back and spine injuries.
Great Lakes contends these injuries were not suffered while in the service of any Great Lakes’ vessel. They are declaring that they are not responsible for Collins’ maintenance and cure demand for the back and spine injuries he suffered.
Great Lakes Dredge and Dock is represented by Jefferson R. Tillery, C. Barrett Rice and Stephen H. Clement of Jones Walker LLP.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana case number 2:15-cv-03799-KDE-SS