Noble Drilling seeks to transfer venue of Jones Act suit

Noble Drilling Services has answered a Jones Act suit and requested that the litigation be transferred to Fort Bend County.

As previously reported, Richard Wright filed suit against Noble International and the company's subsidiaries on Sept. 27 in Jefferson County District Court. Wright alleges he was hurt when he stepped down through a doorway on the vessel he was serving aboard and fell, injuring his hip.

Court records show that on Oct. 24 Noble Drilling filed an answer, in which the company requests that the suit be transferred because the incident happened in Singapore and Noble's principal office is in Fort Bend County.

Wright filed a response to the motion to transfer on Nov. 3, asserting that he is a Port Arthur resident and that the case should stay put since he resides in Jefferson County.

No ruling is on file as of Dec. 15, court records show.

Wright is suing for his alleged past and future medical expenses, mental anguish, pain, impairment, disfigurement and lost wages, plus all court costs.

Beaumont attorney Tommy Yeates of Moore Landrey represents him.

Noble Drilling is represented by Sugarland attorneys Randy Fairless and Kelley Friedman.

Judge Bob Wortham, 58th District Court, is assigned to the case.

Case No. A191-103