A serious workplace accident has led to a lawsuit against multiple maritime companies. Roberto Hernandez and Claudia Hernandez filed the complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana on July 9, 2024, naming Swiftships, LLC; Stabbert Maritime Holding, LLC; Ocean Intrepid Holding, LLC; and Ocean Services, LLC as defendants.
The case centers around an incident that occurred on August 11, 2023. According to the complaint, Roberto Hernandez was performing his duties as a welder/fitter aboard the M/V Ocean Intrepid when a mechanical crane operated by employees of Swiftships malfunctioned. The crane's cable snapped and struck Hernandez from behind, causing severe injuries to his neck, back, head, and shoulder. The plaintiffs argue that this accident resulted from negligence on the part of Swiftships' employees who were responsible for operating and repairing the crane.
Roberto Hernandez is seeking damages for past and future pain and suffering, mental anguish, lost wages, loss of economic opportunity, and medical expenses. His wife Claudia Hernandez is also seeking compensation for loss of consortium due to her husband's injuries. The plaintiffs are demanding punitive damages against all defendants for what they describe as "wanton and reckless disregard" for safety.
The lawsuit claims that Swiftships failed in several critical areas: properly operating and maintaining the crane, adequately training their employees and contractors, and providing a safe working environment. Additionally, Stabbert Maritime Holding, Ocean Intrepid Holding, and Ocean Services are accused of failing to ensure that the vessel was in a safe condition before turning it over for repairs. They are also charged with not warning about the defective crane or ensuring that repairs were conducted safely.
The plaintiffs are asking for judgment against all defendants jointly and severally in amounts deemed just by the court. They seek both compensatory damages to cover their losses and punitive damages to penalize the defendants' alleged negligence.
Representing Roberto and Claudia Hernandez is attorney Kevin L. Camel from Lake Charles, Louisiana. The case has been assigned Case ID No. 6:24-CV-00912 in front of an unspecified judge at this time.