MONROE – An estate representative alleges his decedent drowned because his employer failed to provide a safe place to work and repair and maintain its equipment.
Standen S. Collins, individually and as personal representative of Michael Galen Collins, filed a complaint on April 6 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Monroe Division against Riverside Construction Co. Inc. alleging wrongful death.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Aug. 23, 2016, plaintiff's decedent Michael Collins was killed while working in the course of his employment with defendant Riverside. While decedent was backing a 1999 Volvo dump truck into position for loading on a barge, the suit states the brakes failed and the dump truck rolled into the Mississippi River with him in it.
The plaintiff holds Riverside Construction Co. Inc. responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to repair and maintain the Volvo dump truck and negligently represented to the decedent that the brakes had been repaired.
The plaintiff seeks damages in an amount sufficient to compensate the plaintiff and decedent's next-of-kin for the deceased’s medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses and costs of estate administration with prejudgment interest and costs of court. Plaintiff is represented by Joseph F. Gaar Jr., Jacob H. Hargett, Jason M. Welborn and Lucas S. Colligan of Law Offices of Joseph F. Gaar Jr. PLLC in Lafayette.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Monroe Division Case number 3:17-cv-00497