Slippery ship deck from rain results in injury suit against Martin Operating

A tankerman brought a lawsuit against his employer for alleged unsafe workplace conditions in 2015.

Jermaine Linson of North Carolina filed against Martin Operating Partnership LP of Kilgore in Galveston County District Court on May 27, claiming liability in a February 2015 maritime offshore incident.

The suit states that when Linson was working aboard a marine vessel on or about Feb. 4, off the coast of Galveston, he was instructed by his captain to pick up and move a 200-foot line on the barge. The plaintiff asserts that when he picked up the 150-pound line, he sustained injuries due to the deck surface and line having become slippery from rain.

Linson’s grievance cites Martin with failure to properly supervise their crew, train their employees, provide adequate crew, and operate the vessel safely. The suit states that the marine vessel was unseaworthy.

Citing pain, suffering, and mental anguish; lost wages and earning capacity; impairment and medical expenses, the plaintiff also claims that he is entitled to maintenance and cure as a Jones Act seaman.

The plaintiff seeks actual, exemplary and punitive damages; compensation in excess of $1 million; pre- and post-judgment interest; attorney’s fees; maintenance and cure benefits; expenses, and costs.

Linson is represented by Michael Pierce and Sofia Bruera of Pierce Skrabanek Bruera in Houston.

Galveston County District Court case number 15-CV-0524.