ALEXANDRIA – A deck hand alleges a New Iberia company's unseaworthy vessel caused him injures while on the job.
Joseph Prudhomme filed a complaint on Aug. 25 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana against Seatran Marine LLC alleging that the employer violated the Jones Act and the Admiralty and General Maritime Law.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Aug. 11, 2015, he was assigned to work aboard the defendant's vessel Mr. Ridge when he slipped and fell while attempting to secure the boat to a dock. He alleges the incident caused him serious and disabling injuries to his knee and to suffer medical expenses, lost wages, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life.
The plaintiff holds Seatran Marine LLC responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to provide a safe place to work, failed to provide sufficient manpower or assistance necessary to complete the task and negligently allowed the dangerous condition to exist.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks award for monetary damages, plus interest, costs of this action and for all other equitable and just relief allowed by law. He is represented by Joseph F. Gaar Jr., Jason M. Welborn, Lucas S. Colligan and Jacob M. Hargett of Joseph F. Gaar Jr. APLC in Lafayette.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana Case number 6:16-cv-01219