Jones Act suit filed on behalf of captain who went down with ship

The wife of a captain who literally went down with his ship has filed suit against her late husband's employer.

Sandra Williams, on behalf of Jerry Martinez Williams, filed the suit against John Landry Sr. on Dec. 18 in Jefferson County District Court.

Court papers show that on Dec. 20, 2007, Williams was employed by Landry as a seaman serving aboard the vessel Silver Wings.

The Silver Wings sunk in the Gulf of Mexico over 100 miles off the coast of Grand Isle, La., and Williams' body was never found and is presumed to be still in the vessel which rests at the bottom of the gulf.

The same day Williams' widow filed her suit, Walter Morales, the son of another seaman who served aboard the Silver Wings, filed suit against John Landry and Williams.

In addition to Landry, Morales' suit blames Williams for causing William Martinez, his father, to drown.

Neither suit states how the ship sank.

However, both plaintiffs' suits do presume their benefactors have been entombed in the vessel resting at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico.

Williams alleges the vessel was unseaworthy and that Landry negligently failed to provide a safe workplace.

She is suing for survivor damages.

Williams is represented by attorney Rocky Lawdermilk.

Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd Judicial District, is presiding over the case.

Case No. E185-506