A Jefferson County man has filed suit against a Texas corporation because he says he received injuries after a ladder and other objects dropped on his head while they were being transported with a crane.
Sean Steiner filed the suit in Jefferson County District Court on March 11 against Shipper Stevedoring Co.
At the time of the incident, Steiner was working for Turner Brothers Crane and Rigging on Oct. 3, the complaint says. Shippers Stevedoring requested Steiner serve as the vessel side flagger while windmill generator units were being unloaded and placed on the dock.
As Steiner was standing in the hold of the vessel waiting to perform his duty, one of Shippers Stevedoring's employees "suddenly and without warning" began to operate a ship-mounted crane that was carrying a 35-foot fiberglass ladder, several marine rubber buoys and a water cooler, the suit states.
However, the crane's load was improperly rigged and did not have a swing alarm to warn Steiner that an overhead load was being moved, Steiner alleges.
"When the load was over Plaintiff's head, it came loose and the items in the load fell into the hold of the ship, striking Plaintff, resulting in severe and permanent injuries to his head, neck, back, left elbow, left ankle and body generally," the suit states.
Because of the incident, Steiner incurred medical costs and experienced a great deal of physical pain, mental pain, anguish, physical incapacity and impairment, according to the complaint.
He also claims he lost earnings and his earning capacity has been gravely impaired.
Because Shippers Stevedoring's employee failed to properly rig the load being moved on the crane, failed to maintain control of the load, attempted to move the load without a swing alarm and failed to warn Steiner that the load was being moved, the company was negligent, the complaint says.
Steiner is seeking unspecified actual damages, plus interest at the highest legal rate, costs and other relief the court deems just.
Bob K. Monk of The Monk Law Firm in Port Arthur will be representing him.
The case has been assigned to Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court.
Case No. D183-515