Crew member sues ship owner for injury

David Seals, a former crew member aboard the vessel Ocean Champion, is suing his employer, the Diamond Offshore Co. and its subsidiaries, for $75,000 plus.

He was injured on Oct. 17, 2006, while at sea, which entitles him to invoke the Jones Act, legislation designed to help injured seaman.

Seals' lawsuit, filed on April 18 with the Jefferson county District Court, does not say how he was injured or even what his injuries are; the suit only cites negligence on Diamond's part. "The defendants (failed) to furnish him a safe place to work and a seaworthy vessel."

"At the time of the occurrence made the basis of this suit, plaintiff was a healthy, able-bodied working man," the suit said.

Seal is suing for past and future medical expenses, physical pain, mental anguish, loss of earnings and earning capacity, plus disfigurement and all court costs.
He says he is entitled to recovery of pre-judgment and post-judgment interest.

The law office of John Stevenson & Associates are representing him.

Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court, has been assigned to the case.

Case No. D179-136.