Suit: 'porta-potty' knocked over with man trapped inside

Unless nature's call is too strong to snub, most people, for obvious reasons, avoid using porta-potties. In the case of Jorge Altamirano, his world was literally turned upside down after the porta-potty he was occupying was abruptly knocked over.

Altamirano is suing Rowan Companies for failing to provide him with a safe place to work. His suit was filed in the Jefferson County District Court on Jan. 18.

According to the plaintiff's petition, on April 23, 2007, Altamirano was working as an electrician at Rowan's yard in Sabine Pass.

"While using a porta-potty on the premises, a Rowan employee operating a man-lift failed to use ordinary care in the operation of the man-lift and ran into a row of porta-potties, knocking them over," the suit said. "Plaintiff suffered injuries as a result of the negligent operation of Rowan's man-lift by Rowan's employee."

The suit continues by saying Rowan was negligent in the following failing to provide a safe place to work, provide proper training, tools and equipment, provide proper supervision and adequate help and for failing to properly operate the man-lift.

"As a direct and proximate result of defendant's conduct, plaintiff suffered injury to his head, neck, back, shoulder and body generally," the suit said.

Altamirano is suing for mental anguish, lost earnings, medical expenses and impairment.

He is represented by Beaumont attorney Clay Dugas

According to its' Web site, Rowan Companies, Inc. is a major provider of international and domestic contract drilling services. Rowan also owns and operates a manufacturing division that produces equipment for the drilling, mining and timber industries. "Our manufacturing division built the first jack-up drilling rig in 1955 and has designed or built more than 200 rigs since, including all 21 in our fleet."

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

Case No. E181-038