Arnold & Itkin
GALVESTON - A Louisiana seaman blames Houston-based W&T Offshore for a broken arm he suffered on the job almost six months ago, recent court documents say.
According to a lawsuit filed March 5 in Galveston County Court at Law No. 2, Wesley Fredieu injured himself aboard the Ship Shoal 149G, which is owned and operated by the defendant W&T Offshore on Oct. 20, 2011.
The original petition states that the equipment Fredieu was working around over-pressured "through no fault of his own" and exploded, causing severe injury.
"Specifically, the plaintiff suffered a broken arm that required screws and plates and multiple procedures to implant them," the suit says.
The defendant is blamed for failing to train its employees, failing to inspect, maintain and repair equipment, failing to maintain a safe work environment, failing to provide appropriate medical attention and failing to warn the plaintiff of dangers hidden aboard the Ship Shoal 149G.
The suit alleges the defendant "was subjectively aware of the extreme risk posed by the conditions which caused (Fredieu's) injury, but did nothing to rectify them."
"Instead, the defendant had the plaintiff and other crew members continue working despite the dangerous conditions that were posed to them," the suit states.
"The defendant did so knowing that the conditions posed dangerous and grave safety concerns."
Consequently, Fredieu seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.
He is represented by Arnold & Itkin LLP.
The case has been assigned to Galveston County Court at Law No. 2 Judge Barbara Roberts.
Cause No. 67,064