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LOUISIANA RECORD

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Maritime worker alleges offshore drilling companies' negligence caused injuries

Oilrig 09

NEW ORLEANS — An Ohio man in suing several offshore drilling companies, alleging their negligence caused the plaintiff to sustain injuries. 

Marc Tyson Postma filed a lawsuit Aug. 15 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Pacific Drilling Servicing Inc. Pacific Drilling VI Limited, Pacific Drilling Manpower Inc. and Pacific Drilling Operations Inc., alleging failure to provide a safe place to work.

According to the complaint, on Oct. 25, 2015, Postma was employed by Pacific Drilling aboard the drill ship D/S Pacific Sharav off the coast of Louisiana. The suit says Postma was directed to assist in conducting lifeboat training operations during a fire and abandon drill in dark, windy and rainy conditions.

The lawsuit states Postma tripped over a small protruding hatch cover, leading to a violent fall that caused him to suffer severe and disabling injuries, ultimately requiring surgery. 

The plaintiff alleges the defendants failed to act prudently in electing to perform drills in poor weather conditions, failed to conduct proper safety meeting prior to initiating the drill and failed to provide proper safety equipment.

Postma seeks a trial by jury, all damages, legal interest and court costs, plus all other relief to which he is entitled. He is represented by attorneys J. Christopher Zainey, Jr. and Brian P. Marcelle of Huber Slack Thomas & Marcelle LLP in New Orleans.

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Case number 2:16-cv-13819

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