NEW ORLEANS — A Mississippi captain is suing the U.S. government, alleging negligence in causing him injuries.
Robert L. Dallas of Picayune, Mississippi, filed a lawsuit June 17 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against the United States of America, as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers alleging that the government agency failed to provide a seaworthy vessel.
According to the complaint, on April 17, 2014, Dallas was employed by the the defendant as the master of M/V Bienville, when he was seriously injured while escaping free-swinging cargo while it was suspended by the crane of a derrick barge.
The plaintiff alleges defendant failed to have a supervisor on site, failed to have appropriate safety procedures, failed to provide a safe place to work and refused to provide Dallas' maintenance and cure benefits that resulted in a drastic and ongoing worsening of his medical conditions.
The suit says Dallas sustained pain and suffering, disability, loss of enjoyment of life and medical expenses.
Dallas seeks a trial by jury, equitable and exemplary damages, attorney fees, court costs, litigation expenses and pre-judgment interest. He is represented by attorneys Patrick H. Hufft of Hufft & Hufft in New Orleans and Stephen M. Wiles and Eli J. Hare of Law Offices of Stephen M. Wiles LLC in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Case number 2:16-cv-10736