NEW ORLEANS — A Jefferson Parish deckhand is suing a vessel owner and insurance firm, alleging their negligence caused him to sustain injuries.
Michael T. Martinez filed a complaint May 3 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Guilbeau Marine Inc. and ABC Ins. Co., alleging negligence in failing to correct the hazards on its vessel.
According to the complaint, on May 5, 2015, Martinez stepped into the hallway of the M/V Lori G where he slipped and struck his head against the hatch and injured his neck. He later struck his head on a light fixture that was negligently hanging down, the suit says.
The complaint states the slips were caused a light coating of oil on the engine room floor. As result of these incidents, the lawsuit states, Martinez suffered bodily injuries and loss of income.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants failed to provide a safe workplace, failed to correct the problem, failed to ensure that the engine room floors were kept clean of slippery substances, improperly hung the light fixture and failed to provide adequate instructions.
Martinez seeks a trial by jury, judgment in a sum that is sufficient to justly, fairly and legally compensate his injuries, legal interest, all costs of these proceedings and all relief the court deems proper. He is represented by attorneys Richard J. Fernandez and Amber E. Cisney of Law Office of Richard J. Fernandez LLC in Metairie.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Case number 2:16-cv-04091