A serious workplace accident has prompted a lawsuit against three major corporations, accused of negligence leading to severe injuries. On January 27, 2025, Bryce Pelotto and Rosalyn Ledet filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against OXY Inc., OXY USA Inc., and Gulf South Services, Inc.
The case revolves around an incident that occurred on March 1, 2024, when Bryce Pelotto was employed by Safezone Safety Systems, LLC. While performing his duties on the Marco Polo platform in the Gulf of Mexico—owned and operated by OXY Inc. and OXY USA Inc.—Pelotto suffered severe injuries due to faulty scaffolding constructed by or on behalf of the defendants. The complaint details how scaffold bars came loose unexpectedly, causing Pelotto to swing out and sustain significant injuries. According to the plaintiffs, this incident was a direct result of negligence on the part of the defendants and their failure to maintain safe working conditions.
The plaintiffs allege multiple failures by the defendants: not providing a safe work environment, failing to discover and rectify unsafe conditions, neglecting proper equipment provision, insufficient warnings about dangerous conditions, inadequate inspection and maintenance of premises and equipment including scaffolding, hiring untrained personnel, retaining careless employees, lack of competent supervision, and breach of reasonable care duties owed to Pelotto. These allegations are backed by references to violations under U.S. laws such as the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.
As a consequence of these alleged negligent acts, Bryce Pelotto sustained injuries including possible ruptured or herniated discs and nerve damage affecting various parts of his body like his neck and back. The lawsuit claims that these injuries have led to significant medical expenses for treatment and ongoing pain management while also impacting Pelotto's ability to perform his usual work duties.
In addition to Bryce Pelotto's claims for personal injury damages—which include legal interest from the date of occurrence until paid—the lawsuit also seeks compensation for Rosalyn Ledet and their minor child P.P., who have reportedly suffered loss of consortium due to Pelotto's incapacitation. The plaintiffs demand a jury trial seeking judgment against all three defendants for an amount yet to be determined at trial along with attorney’s fees and other associated costs.
Representing the plaintiffs are attorneys Lawrence Blake Jones (7495), David C. Whitmore (17864), and Kristian D. Bozeman (41045) from Blake Jones Law Firm LLC based in New Orleans. The case is identified as Case No. 2:25-cv-00177.