LAFAYETTE – A St. Landry Parish man is seeking millions in damages after he alleged injured his back while working.
Jeremy Soileau filed a complaint on June 1 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette-Opelousas Division against Baywater Drilling LLC alleging that the employer failed to provide a safe place to work.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on June 1, 2016, he was working on an inland drilling barge owned by defendant named The Timbalier when he was ordered by his supervisor to pull on a drill line. In the course of this operation, he alleges he sustained serious and disabling injuries to his back, resulting in physical and mental pain, loss of income and incurred medical expenses.
The plaintiff holds Baywater Drilling LLC responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to provide an adequate and safe crew and failed to pay maintenance and cure benefits.
The plaintiff seeks damages in the amount of $2 million, plus legal interest, maintenance and cure, attorneys’ fees and all just and equitable relief. He is represented by Jeffrey M. Bassett, Taylor J. Bassett and Richard T. Haik Jr. of Morrow, Morrow, Ryan, Bassett & Haik in Opelousas.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette-Opelousas Division case number 6:17-cv-00710