A St. Helena man is suing a Louisiana refining company, alleging negligence for injuries he sustained in a workplace accident.
Aron Burton filed a complaint Aug. 24 in St. Bernard Parish District Court against Valero Refining-Meraux, alleging negligence.
On Aug. 18, 2014, the complaint states, Valero hired Burton as a mechanic pipefitter on its hydrocracker project in Meraux. On the same date, the suit says, hazardous chemicals spilled at the work site, forcing Burton to walk through them to exit the building.
While exiting, the lawsuit alleges, Burton slipped on the chemicals and fell down a flight of stairs, injuring his neck, back, arm and hip, as well as developing respiratory complications due to inhaling the hazardous chemicals.
The complaint alleges Valero was negligent in failing to provide a safe work environment, failing to provide adequate safety warnings, standards, policies and procedures for workers, and other negligent acts or omissions.
As a result, the plaintiff sustained bodily injury, physical pain and suffering, mental pain and anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of wages and earning capacity, and has incurred medical expenses, the suit says.
Burton seeks damages in excess of $50,000, plus court costs. He is represented by attorneys Willie G. Johnson, Jr. of Seale, Smith, Zuber & Barnette in Baton Rouge, Sophia Riley of Riley & Associates in Baton Rouge, and Jennifer O. Robinson in Lafayette.
St. Bernard Parish District Court case number 2:15-cv-04686-JTM-KWR.