LAFAYETTE — A seaman has filed suit against a lift boat owner for allegedly failing to take precautionary measures to prevent injuries.
Gregory Kent Smith filed a complaint Sept. 15 in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette Division, against Offshore Marine Contractors Inc., alleging that the lift boat owner failed to provide a seaworthy vessel.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Feb. 20, he was working as a member of the crew of the defendant's lift boat, L/B Jamie Eymard, when he lost his balance and fell off the ladder, causing him to sustain severe injuries that resulted in pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss wages and earning capacity and medical expenses. The plaintiff holds Offshore Marine Contractors Inc. responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to warn him of the presence of an unreasonably dangerous condition, failed to properly examine or inspect its vessel and failed to provide proper tools to perform the assigned task.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against the defendant for a reasonable amount, plus maintenance and cure, legal interest, attorney's fees and all other equitable relief. He is represented by Elwood C. Stevens and Brian C. Colomb of Domengeaux Wright Roy Edwards & Colomb LLC in Lafayette.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette Division, Case number 6:16-cv-01300