Matheny
While navigating a shore gangway toward a vessel, area resident Armando Falcon injured his knee.
Claiming the gangway was not level with the vessel, Falcon filed suit against Sunoco on March 27 in Jefferson County District Court.
According to the lawsuit, on May 16, 2011, Falcon was a petroleum inspector performing inspections at Sunoco's terminal in Jefferson County. He injured his knee while navigating the company's shore gangway.
"Defendant's shore gangway was not level with the vessel gangway and was unfit for safe use at the time of plaintiff's injury," the suit states, adding that Sunoco negligently failed to inspect and maintain its premises and warn him of the danger.
A shore gangway is a narrow, portable platform used as a passage by persons entering or leaving a vessel.
The plaintiff is suing for his alleged past and future medical expenses, mental anguish, pain, impairment, disfigurement and lost wages, plus all court costs.
Beaumont attorney Matthew Matheny of the Provost Umphrey law firm represents him.
Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court, is assigned to the case.
Case No. D192-232