In the United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, a lawsuit has been filed by Patrick Dewayne Reade against L & M Botruc Rental, LLC. The case, identified as 2:24-cv-00997-WBV-KWR, was filed on April 19, 2024. The plaintiff accuses the defendant of negligence leading to personal injury while he was employed aboard one of their vessels.
Patrick Dewayne Reade was employed by L & M Botruc Rental, LLC as a Jones Act Seaman aboard the M/V BOTRUC NO 39. On December 24, 2023, Reade experienced an accident resulting in serious injuries to his ears and back among other parts of his body. He alleges that the accident was caused by the negligence of L & M Botruc Rental, LLC.
The plaintiff asserts that the defendant failed to provide a safe working environment and adequate training for its employees. Furthermore, he claims that the vessel he was working on was unseaworthy and lacked minimum safety requirements and adequate equipment.
Reade is seeking compensation for past, present and future physical pain and suffering, loss of wages and wage earning capacity, physical disability and medical expenses. Additionally, he demands payment for maintenance and cure benefits under General Maritime Law. He also seeks punitive damages against the defendant for any arbitrary or unreasonable failure to pay these benefits.