Wilson
MARSHALL - After being struck by a stack of winches weighing around 5,000 pounds, a Longview oil rig worker has filed a personal injury lawsuit that claims he was injured due to the use of a non-certified crane.
Edward Hatt filed suit against Energy Drilling Co. on Oct. 14 in the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division.
The incident occurred on Oct. 23, 2010, as Hatt was working on an oil rig owned by the defendant. In the lawsuit, Hatt states he was on the rig floor when an employee of Energy Drilling was attempting to lift a set of stacked winches using "improper" methods. The employee lost control of the winches and allowed them to swing free, striking Hatt, the suit states.
The defendant is accused of negligence for failing to act as a reasonably prudent person would have acted under the same or similar circumstances, failing to provide as a safe work environment, failing to protect Hatt from work-related hazards, failing to properly train its employees and failing to implement appropriate safety policies.
The defendant is accused of gross negligence for failing to use a non-certified crane and improperly secured flange.
The plaintiff is seeking damages for physical pain, mental anguish, physical impairment, medical expenses, lost earnings, loss of earnings capacity, interest and court costs.
Hatt is represented by Garrett Wilson of The Monsour Law Firm in Longview.
A jury trial is requested.
U.S. District Judge David Folsom is assigned to the case.
Case No. 2:11-cv-00455