An employee is suing an off-shore company, alleging it did not seek immediate medical attention for the plaintiff.
Jon Satterfield filed the lawsuit Nov. 9 in U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana against Harvey Gulf International Marine, alleging negligence.
The defendant operates a vessel that works in the Gulf of Mexico, off Louisiana, providing support to its client Chevron. According to the complaint, on April 13, while Satterfield was working on the vessel, he began experiencing flu-like symptoms, which he reported to his supervisor. The suit says despite the plaintiff's symptoms and deteriorating condition, Harvey Gulf did not relieve him of his duties nor provide medical assistance.
After three days, the defendant agreed to drop the plaintiff on shore and to have personnel available to both relieve him and help him seek medical attention. However, the suit alleges, this did not happen, and Satterfield had to drive himself to the hospital. This resulted in his conditioning worsening into congestive heart failure, which has complicated his recovery, the lawsuit says.
The plaintiff charges negligence on the part of Harvey Gulf caused him to lose wages and benefits, endure physical pain and suffering, and mental and emotional pain and suffering, and incur medical expenses.
Satterfield seeks a trial by jury, a judgment of $1.5 million, plus interest against the defendant, court costs and attorney fees. He is represented by attorneys Berney L. Strauss and Rhett E. King of Strauss & King in New Orleans, and Michael A. Mahone Jr. of The Mahone Firm in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana case number 2:15-cv-05780-JTM-KWR.