NEW ORLEANS – Houma parents are suing a Baton Rouge company over allegations a collision with the defendant's vessel caused the death of their son.
Darrell D. Hancock and Jennifer L. Hancock, individually and on behalf of their deceased minor son, Ethan Hancock, filed a complaint on Sept. 28 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Higman Barge Lines Inc. alleging negligence.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that in July 30, plaintiff Hancock and Ethan Hancock were frogging and manually piloting their vessel on the Company Canal when defendant's M/V Trinity Bay collided with their vessel. As a result, the suit states the plaintiffs were swept under the barge being pushed by the Trinity Bay. Rescuers were unable to resuscitate decedent Ethan Hancock and he was pronounced dead on the morning of July 31, the suit states.
The plaintiffs hold Higman Barge Lines Inc. responsible because the defendant's employees allegedly negligently operated the motor vessel, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to assist a distressed vessel and failed to aid in rescue.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek compensation for damages that are just and reasonable in the premises, plus interest, costs of these proceedings and for all other equitable relief as may be reasonable. They are represented by V. Jacob Garbin of Garbin Law Firm LLC in Gretna.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Case number 2:16-cv-14998