NEW ORLEANS – A seaman claims that his employer provided an unsafe working environment that led to his work injury.
Ronald Duplechain filed a suit on March 4 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Louisiana Marine Operators LLC, citing negligence.
Duplechain was allegedly a seaman and member of defendant’s crew upon the vessel MAXX B when, on Dec. 6, 2015, he fell down some stairs in the engine room of the ship. He allegedly sustained damages that caused past and future pain and suffering, mental anguish and emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, medical and maintenance bills, and loss of wages and earning capacity. Duplechain asserts that his injuries were caused by the negligence of Louisiana Marine Operators when it failed to provide a reasonably safe place in which to work, failed to take reasonable precaution for workers' safety and well-being, and failed to enforce rules and regulations for safety.
The seaman is now suing for damages including punitive, interests, maintenance and cure, court costs, attorney fees, and any and all equitable relief deemed proper by the court. He is represented by Jim S. Hall and Joseph W. Rausch from Jim S. Hall & Associates in Metairie.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Case number 2:16-cv-01842-ILRL-DEK