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SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Ship worker sues over back injury

Buzbee

GALVESTON - After reportedly hurting his lower back lifting discharge pumps aboard a ship belonging to Breathwit Marine Contractors Inc., Harold Mann has filed a lawsuit.

According to recent court documents filed July 11 in Galveston County District Court, Mann injured himself on June 5, 2011, as he was lifting about 20 pumps - each weighing 70 pounds -from a sunken barge to the defendant's ship without assistance.

Mann asserts his supervisor ordered him to continue working though he reported the alleged back injury.

The original petition further explains the supervisor ordered more heavy-duty discharge pumps to be lifted onto the vessel by crane.

"After the plaintiff was injured, management devised a mechanical way to move larger discharge pumps onto the vessel," the suit says.

Mann blames the defendant for failing to maintain a safe workplace, failing to provide adequate assistance and failing to provide the proper tools and equipment to safely do the job that the plaintiff was ordered to do.

"The plaintiff's injuries were also legally caused by the unseaworthiness of the vessel involved," the suit says.

Consequently, Mann sues for physical pain, mental anguish, lost wages and medical expenses.

A jury trial is requested.

Attorney Anthony G. Buzbee with The Buzbee Law Firm in Houston is representing Mann.

Galveston County 405th District Court Judge Wayne Mallia is presiding over the case.

Case No. 12-cv-1493

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