NEW ORLEANS – A fisherman who suffered an injury while aboard his employer’s ship claims that his employer failed to provide him with proper equipment and is seeking damages.
Colby Johnson filed a lawsuit on March 28 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Omega Protein Inc., over claims of negligence.
Johnson asserts that he was a crewman and fisherman aboard the Cote Blanch Bay, a vessel owned and operated by the defendant. On Aug. 13, 2015, the ship was in the process of catching pogey fish when Johnson slipped and fell in the process of untying the mate boat line. He alleges that the reason for his injury was due to defendant supplying him with boots which were inadequate and did not have appropriate non-skid soles.
Johnson allegedly suffered severe and permanent injuries to his back, including a herniated disc and blood clot to his leg. He is allegedly unable to work and has suffered lost wages, loss of future income, loss of capacity to work and mental anguish. Johnson also claims that defendant has arbitrarily refused to pay the maintenance and cure benefits to him despite having no legitimate reason to do so.
He is seeking an undisclosed amount of damages against the defendant and is represented by John L. Young in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Case number 2:16-cv-02493-LMA-MBN