A maritime worker has filed a lawsuit against his employer, seeking over $1 million in damages for injuries sustained on the job. Ramon G. Ibarra filed the complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana on August 2, 2024, naming Westbank Fishing, LLC as the defendant.
According to the court documents, Ibarra was employed by Westbank Fishing, LLC as a second chief onboard an unnamed fishing vessel operating in the Gulf of Mexico. On August 24, 2022, while standing by a line connected to a fishing net that had become stuck on the boat, Ibarra was struck in the face by an aluminum post when the line came free. The impact knocked him unconscious and resulted in three facial fractures, broken teeth, and additional back and neck injuries. The severity of his injuries necessitated surgery to insert plates into his face. Ibarra now suffers from disfigurement, severe pain, and partial loss of vision in his right eye.
Ibarra's complaint alleges multiple counts against Westbank Fishing, LLC under various legal theories including negligence under the Jones Act (46 U.S.C. §30104), unseaworthiness under General Maritime Law, and failure to provide maintenance and cure. He claims that Westbank Fishing failed to provide a safe working environment, proper training and assistance, and adequate safety policies aboard their vessel. Furthermore, he accuses them of maintaining unsafe equipment and employing an incompetent crew.
The plaintiff is seeking compensatory damages exceeding $1 million for medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of earning capacity both past and future, physical disfigurement and impairment. Additionally, he demands maintenance and cure benefits along with attorney’s fees due to what he describes as Westbank Fishing’s unreasonable refusal to provide these benefits promptly.
Representing Ramon G. Ibarra are attorneys Laura B. De La Cruz (Louisiana Bar No. 37996) and Matthew D. Shaffer (Texas Bar No. 18085600) from Schechter Shaffer & Harris LLP based in Houston, Texas.
The Case ID is: 2:24-cv-01937.