Seaman claims pipe pressure led to fall

GALVESTON - A Louisiana seaman claims a sudden release of pressure from a pipe he was working on caused him severe pain.

Donald Rushing is suing his employers Pride International Inc. and BP Exploration & Production Inc. for allegedly lying to him about the state of the pipe in question.

His suit was filed April 12 in Galveston County Court No. 1.

According to the complaint, Rushing was working as a borrowed seaman aboard the BP Thunderhorse on Feb. 4 when he was tasked with removing a protector from the top of one of the ship's pipes.

As he performed the task, he claims hundreds of pounds of pressure released and caused him to fall with equipment falling on his leg and other parts of his body, the suit says.

"Previously, he was told by the defendants that each cap had a hole drilled in it so there was no pressure," the original petition says.
"This proved to be false."

Rushing says he injured his leg, hip, back and other parts of his
body as a result of the alleged incident.

He claims to have suffered severe pain, physical impairment, discomfort, mental anguish, and distress. Consequently, the plaintiff seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.
He is represented by Houston attorneys Kurt B. Arnold and Paul Skabranek.

Galveston County Court No. 1 Judge Mary Nell Crapitto is presiding over the case.

Cause No. 62,646