NEW ORLEANS — A St. Tammany Parish man is suing a ship owner, alleging its negligence caused him to be thrown overboard.
Michael Meyer filed a lawsuit July 14 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Turn Services LLC, alleging liability, negligence, reckless conduct and violation of the Jones Act.
According to the complaint, on Feb. 19, 2015, Meyer was thrown overboard from a skiff when it hit a stationary object and he fell into the Intracoastal Waterway near Morgan City. The suit says Meyer sustained injuries to his lower back, causing physical pain, mental anguish and emotional distress, plus lost wages and all other benefits.
The plaintiff alleges Turn Services negligently allowed Meyer's co-worker, Emory Owens, to operate the skiff despite Owens' reputation for recklessness. The suit says the defendant failed to provide a safe working environment and failed to provide sufficient lighting on the skiff to avoid a collision with any stationary object.
Meyer seeks trial by jury, all damages with legal interest, all legal costs and all other relief deemed appropriate by the court. He is represented by attorneys James M Garner and Kevin M. McGlone of Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein & Hilbert LLC in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Case number 2:16-cv-12787