Harbor worker shocked by exposed wire

Working in a dark and confined area of a ferry, a Superior Energies employee was installing insulation when his hand came in contact with a live wire, sending an electrical current through his hand and out his neck.

Alleging breach of General Maritime Law and the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act, Nicholas Boudreaux filed suit against Conrad Industries Inc. on Jan. 22 in the Beaumont Division on the Eastern District of Texas.

Boudreaux states that in late 2007, a ferry from Puerto Rico docked at Conrad Industries shipyard located in Morgan City, La.

The plaintiff states that the ferry boat was in the water and under the control of the defendant, which was performing repair work. Conrad Industries hired Superior Energies to install insulation.

In the area in which he was working, Boudreaux claims there was little lighting. The plaintiff stuck his hand in the overhead area and came in contact with the wire that came from the ship's generator to an overhead light. The plaintiff believes that the wire lost its insulation when the defendant stripped out the old insulation.

The lawsuit accuses Conrad Industries of negligence for failing to provide a safe place to work, failing to inspect the electrical wiring on each vessel, for damaging existing wiring and not repairing it, and for failing to coordinate the work on the ship so that the electrical wiring would be repaired prior to Boudreaux's working.

Boudreaux states that because of the incident he has one ruptured disc and is still undergoing treatment.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for physical impairment, pain, suffering, and mental anguish, medical expenses, loss of earnings and pre and post-judgment interest.

The plaintiff is represented by Beaumont attorney Steven C. Barkley.

U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone will preside over the litigation.

Case No 1:10cv00034