Blessey Marine's Squeak Carpenter
A Port Arthur seaman is suing Blessey Marine Service, claiming he hurt his shoulder while serving aboard the company's "unseaworthy" barge.
Jesus Ramon filed his lawsuit in the U.S. District Court, Beaumont Division, on July 25.
Court documents state that Ramon was employed by Blessey Marine Service Inc. as a tankerman in Port Arthur. He was serving aboard the push boat Squeak Carpenter when he was injured sometime in February, court papers say.
The lawsuit does not state the exact date Ramon was injured, nor does the suit say how he was injured.
"Plaintiff injured his left shoulder, elbow, back and suffered other bodily injury," the suit says.
"Such injury occurred as a proximate result of the unsafe and unseaworthy condition of the barge on which he was injured and its appurtenances, which was owned, and maintained by the defendant Blessey Marine Service Inc.
"In addition, said accident was caused in whole or in part, as a proximate result of negligence on the part of the Defendant, their agents, servants and/or employees."
According to the company Web site, Blessey Marine Services operates a multi-faceted inland tank barge and towing vessel fleet that transports liquid bulk cargoes up and down the Mississippi River and all of its navigable tributaries and canals.
The cargoes include residual fuels, asphalt, lubricating oils, petroleum feedstocks, refined petroleum products, petrochemicals and alcohols.
Blessey Marine is based in Harahan, La.
Ramon is suing for past and future mental anguish, lost earnings, medical expenses and impairment.
He is represented by Houston attorney Harold Eisenman.
Court assignment is pending.
Case No. 1:08-cv-004505