Ship's medic sues owner over back injury

A Mississippi man is suing Rowan Companies after he says he sustained leg and back injuries while working as a medic aboard a ship.

Curtis Woulard filed a suit July 22 in Jefferson County District Court against Rowan Companies.

Woulard claims he was working on Rowan Companies' ship called Gorilla II on Jan. 26 when he sustained severe and disabling injuries during operations in Sabine, Texas.

Although Woulard does not specify how he received the injuries, he does say it was due to the unseaworthiness of the ship.

According to the complaint, Woulard suffered from physical pain, physical impairment, mental anguish and lost wages, incurred medical costs and lost his ability to perform household services.

Woulard says Rowan Companies owes him a duty to provide him with maintenance and cure, but has denied him payments for his injuries, even though he has not reached maximum medical improvement.

Woulard is seeking actual and exemplary damages, plus pre- and post-judgment interest, costs and other relief to which he may be entitled.

Francis I. Spagnoletti of Spagnoletti and Company in Houston will be representing Woulard.

The case has been assigned to Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court.

Jefferson County District Court case number: E184-541.