SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

A chemical company worker says the chemicals he was exposed to caused his allergies to flare, which, in turn, caused him to trip and fall.

Reston Moore, a BIS Salamis employee, filed suit against his employer along with oil giants BP and ExxonMobil on Nov. 6 in Jefferson County District Court, alleging that it is the defendants' fault he tripped over a metal pipe.

In his suit, Moore says on July 19 he was on board the semi-submersible platform Thunder Horse, "which is believed to be owned by BP and ExxonMobil in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana."

That same day, he was exposed to a "chemical" that caused his skin to burn and throat to swell, "making it difficult to breath," the suit states. After he received "minimal" treatment, his foreman put him back to work.

The suit does not say what type of chemical he was exposed to.

"The following day, while still suffering from his burns and allergic reactions, Moore fell (when he) tripped on a piece of metal pipe that was protruding into a walkway from the railing," the suit states.

"The metal should not have protruded ... and no warning signs were posted to advise workers."

Metal pipes running through walkways on submersible vessels are common and sometimes necessary.

Moore claims the vessel was unseaworthy and suing under the Jones Act.

He is seeking past and future medical expenses, lost wages and mental anguish.

Moore is represented by the Law Office of Keith Kebodeaux.

Judge Gary Sanderson, 60th Judicial District, is presiding over the case.

Case No. B177-153