Welder sues after losing fingers in shipboard accident

GALVESTON � A welding foreman from Houston has filed suit against Global Industries after he nearly lost most of his fingers more than six months ago while working on one of their vessels.

In a lawsuit filed April 4 in the Galveston Division of the Southern District of Texas, Jesus Perez Vega claims he sustained severe and painful injuries aboard a Hercules drilling platform on Sept. 22, 2010.

Global Industries Ltd. and Global Industries International LP are named as defendants in the suit.

Vega claims he was trying to secure a cable on top of a plate when a co-worker turned on a cable without warning. According to the suit, Vega's hand was caught in a snatch pulley which severed eight of his fingers.

He alleges the defendants failed to provide adequate communication between Vega and his co-workers.

"Such occurrence and such injuries occurred as a proximate result of the unsafe and unseaworthy condition of the vessel, its crew and its appurtenances and/or equipment, or, in whole or in part, as a proximate result of the initial acts and/or negligence and lack of attention on the part of the defendants, its agents, servants and/or employees acting in the course and scope of their employment and agency," the suit says.

Vega insists he experienced physical pain, mental anguish and other medical problems. Consequently, he seeks a reported $75,000 in damages and a jury trial.

Schechter, McElwee, Shaffer & Harris L.L.P. is representing the plaintiff.

U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt is presiding over the case.

Case No. 3:11-cv-00156