LAFAYETTE – A chef alleges he was injured while working on a vessel because a staircase did not have a nonslip surface.
Melvin Zenon filed a complaint on Nov. 2 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette Division against Hercules Offshore Services LLC citing the Jones Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Dec. 14, 2013, he was employed as a chef aboard defendant's Hercules 85 when he was injured while stepping down steps and slipped. As a result, he alleges he suffered medical expenses, loss of wages and earning capacity and disability.
The plaintiff holds Hercules Offshore Services LLC responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to install nonslip mats in areas of foot traffic, failed to provide eliminate hazardous and/or unsafe condition and failed to provide a safe place to work.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks compensation in a sum set by the court, plus interest, costs and all other equitable relief. He is represented by Rusty Galloway and Jason A. Weaver of Galloway Jefcoat LLP in Lafayette.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette Division Case number 6:16-cv-01536