John Stevenson
Donato Perez claims he was permanently injured while working on a vessel owned by King Fisher Marine Service. He is invoking the Jones Act and suing his employer.
Through attorney John Stevenson Jr., Donato filed his personal injury lawsuit against King Fisher with the Jefferson County District Court on Aug. 10.
According to the plaintiff's original petition, Donato was deployed on an "un-seaworthy" vessel in navigable waters near Jefferson County on July 26, 2007, when he was injured.
The suit does not describe how Donato injured himself or what he was doing when was injured.
The suit only says Donato was injured through no fault of his own, and that his injuries were a result of King Fisher negligently failing to provide a safe place to work.
"Your plaintiff would show that the…incident was legally caused by the negligence of the defendant," the suit said. "The defendant breached their legal duties and such breaches caused damages and injuries to your plaintiff."
Donato is suing for past and future mental anguish, physical impairment and disfigurement, pain and medical expenses, plus recovery of pre and post-judgment interest.
John Stevenson & Associates is a specialty litigation firm, handling highly sophisticated personal injury cases, the firm's Web site said. "The firm offers an exceptional array of knowledge, talent and skill in extensive practice areas, along with a prominent trial practice in maritime and industrial accident cases. The attorneys at John Stevenson & Associates are as adept at trying cases before a jury as they are at negotiating multi-million dollar settlements."
For more than 50 years, King Fisher Marine Service has been the leading dredging company on the Texas coast, the company's Web site said. "We have earned a reputation for excellence, expertise, and ingenuity by doing the toughest jobs, on time and on budget."
Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court, will preside over the case.
Case No. D179-793