Barge rail gives way, worker sues

While disembarking from a barge, Timothy Allen claims the hand rail gave way, causing him to plummet to the dock below.

Allen filed suit against Chevron Pipe Line and Florida Marine Transporters on Sept. 13 in Jefferson County District Court.

Court papers show that on April 27, 2009, Allen, a Saybolt employee, took samples of naphtha while on board a barge docked at the Chevron Pipe Line terminal in Nederland.

Naphtha is a clear colorless flammable mixture of light hydrocarbons used as raw material for many petrochemicals and plastics.

As he was disembarking, the hand rail gave way, causing him to drop the glass sample tubes he was carrying, fall and land on broken glass and chemical samples.

In his suit, Allen says he injured his ankle, back and hands in fall and received chemical burns from contact with the naphtha.

He claims the defendants negligently failed to provide him with a safe workplace and put him in "imminent peril" by not inspecting and maintaining the work area.

Allen is suing for past and future mental anguish, medical expenses, lost wages and physical pain, plus punitive damages.

He is represented by the Law Office of Keith Kebodeaux in Beaumont.

Judge Gary Sanderson, 60th District Court, has been assigned to the case.

Case No. B188-218