NEW ORLEANS — A widow is suing two Louisiana businesses, alleging their negligence caused her husband's death.
Mary Fairley, personal representative of the late Ronnie Lee Fairley filed a lawsuit April 20, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Art Catering Inc. and Vantage Deepwater Drilling Inc., alleging wrongful death in failing to provide immediate and emergency medical care.
According to the complaint, during July and August 2015, while in the course of his employment for Art Catering as a crew member aboard D/S Titanium Explorer, Ronnie Lee Fairley, became gravely ill.
Despite his deteriorating condition, the suit says, Fairley was required to remain aboard the vessel for the duration of his 28-day work schedule. His medical condition worsened, the complaint states, leading to gangrene-related sepsis and the amputation of his right foot.
The lawsuit states Fairley's septic condition caused acute respiratory failure and a myocardial infarction that led to his death Aug. 22, 2015.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants failed to monitor Fairley's medical condition, failed to provide proper medical care, failed to notice his worsening condition and failed to timely evacuate Fairley from the ship.
Mary Fairley seeks a trial by jury, compensation for reasonable damages, all costs allowed by law, plus such other relief as the interests of justice require. She is represented by attorneys Frank E. Lamothe III and Richard M. Martin of Lamothe Law Firm LLC in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Case number 2:16-cv-03488