Stevan Kendrick has filed a complaint for damages against the United States of America, alleging negligence and unseaworthiness of the vessel USNS 2nd LT JOHN P. BOBO. The complaint was filed on May 17, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Kendrick, a seaman domiciled in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, claims he was injured due to the negligence of the United States and/or the unseaworthiness of its vessel during a lifeboat drill off the coast of Saipan on October 1, 2022. According to Kendrick's filing, jurisdiction is appropriate under various provisions including 46 U.S.C. § 30903 and Article III, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution which covers admiralty and maritime jurisdiction.
The incident occurred while Kendrick was disembarking from a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) to one of the vessel’s lifeboats during a drill meant to ensure operational readiness. The RIB had been experiencing engine problems for several weeks prior to the drill but despite these issues, the captain decided to proceed with it. During an attempt to board a lifeboat from the RIB amid ocean swells, Kendrick sustained injuries when he was unable to fully board due to instability caused by engine problems and swell conditions.
Kendrick alleges multiple points of negligence on part of the crew and faults with both vessels involved. He cites failures such as not providing a safe working environment, inadequate maintenance of equipment including the RIB which had known mechanical issues, insufficient training for crew members involved in the drill, and poor judgment by continuing with drills under unsafe conditions.
As a result of this incident, Kendrick claims he has suffered significant physical injuries leading to lost wages, impaired earning capacity, ongoing medical expenses including surgeries, permanent disability and scarring along with mental anguish. He seeks compensatory damages deemed reasonable under these circumstances along with legal interest on those amounts and any additional general equitable relief.
Representing Stevan Kendrick are attorneys Cayce C. Peterson, Jeffrey P. Green, Joseph B. Marino III from JIC Law LLC based in Metairie, LA along with Michael Mahone Jr. from The Mahone Firm LLC located in New Orleans.