Seaman files Jones Act suit over crushed hand

GALVESTON � A seaman from Nicaragua has filed suit against his employers after his left hand was crushed by a piece of machinery on one of their vessels.

Marco Jacobo's lawsuit, which was filed under the Jones Act in Galveston County District Court on May 15 names Greece-based Harbor Shipping & Trading SA and Sunrise Shipping Agency Inc. as defendants.

Jacobo alleges the companies neglected to make sure a water pump the he was working with aboard the M/V Chios Princess on Sept. 30, 2006, was free of any defects.

The plaintiff was ordered to extract water out of a tank with the pump.

When he did so, "the pump malfunctioned and seriously injured the plaintiff's left hand."

The suit says Jacobo's injuries "were legally caused by the negligent acts of the defendants and the unseaworthy condition of the M/V Chios Princess."

Jacobo says he suffered excruciating pain and mental anguish after the incident.

Rendered unemployed, the plaintiff was not able to make payments for the medical treatment he received, the suit adds.

Consequently, Jacobo seeks monetary compensation.

"The plaintiff would show that in reasonable probability his injuries and damages will continue into the future," the original petition says.

Houston attorney Richard M. Schechter is representing Jacobo, and the case has been assigned to Galveston County 122nd District Court Judge John Ellisor.

Case No. 09CV0735