Ship worker claims injury from raising mast

GALVESTON - After injuring his back while erecting a ship's mast, Francisco Calzoncit has filed suit against his employer.

In a lawsuit filed May 19 against Gulf Coast Composite Marine Specialist Inc. in Galveston County Court No. 2, Calzoncit alleges two of his five co-workers unevenly shifted the load of a boat mast they were erecting, and the weight was forced onto his back.

The incident in question occurred in July 2009.

Calzoncit claims his spine was injured, and an MRI taken at the start of the year revealed a 7-milimeter herniation in his back.

"The plaintiff suffers from intractable back pain on a day-to-day basis," the original petition says.

Consequently, Calzoncit seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.

Arnold & Itkin LLP are representing the plaintiff.

The case has been assigned to Galveston County Court No. 2 Judge C.G. "Trey" Dibrell III.

Cause No. 62,928