NEW ORLEANS – A Louisiana barge worker says unsafe conditions aboard a vessel owned by Crosby Tuggs caused his on-the-job injuries during rough seas.
Rusty Norman filed a lawsuit Dec. 16 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Crosby Tuggs LLC, Crosby Marine Transportation LLC and Crosby Offshore Marine services, alleging negligence under the Jones Act, a 1920 law enforcing maritime workers’ compensation.
According to the complaint, Norman worked for the defendant on various vessels it owned and operated. On Jan. 1, 2013, the suit says Norman was injured aboard the marine vessel Crosby Star when rough seas broke loose a tire bumper. The plaintiff says he jumped out of the way, but suffered injuries and medical expenses.
Norman seeks punitive and compensatory damages in an amount to be determined at a jury trial. He is represented by attorneys Dennis M. O’Bryan of O'Bryan Baun Karamanian of Birmingham, Michigan, and George P. Vourvoulias III of New Orleans.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District Case number 2:15-cv-06878