Arnold
GALVESTON - A Louisiana seaman has filed a Jones Act lawsuit against his employer after he fell off one of its ships last year, recent court documents say.
Anthony Ladmer filed suit against Marquette Transportation Co. Gulf-Inland LLC on Aug. 10 in Galveston County Court at Law No. 3.
Ladmer blames the Paducah, Ky.-based company for injuries he reportedly sustained working on the St. Joseph on Sept. 1, 2011.
Ladmer says he was helping move a pipe and fell overboard after tripping over an obstruction in a walkway, stating the alleged incident inflicted injuries to his neck, back, arms and other parts of his body.
According to the original petition, the defendant "acted with flagrant and malicious disregard of the plaintiff's health and safety."
"The defendant was subjectively aware of the extreme risk posed by the conditions which caused the plaintiff's injury, but did nothing to rectify them," the suit says.
"Instead, the defendant had the plaintiff and other crew members continue working despite the dangerous conditions that were posed to them."
Marquette is faulted for:
- Failing to train employees;
- Failing to inspect, maintain and repair equipment;
- Failing to maintain a safe work environment;
- Failing to provide appropriate medical attention;
- Violating their own safety rules and regulations; and
- Failing to respond to complaints of an unnecessary and dangerous hazard.Consequently, Ladmer seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.Attorney Kurt B. Arnold with Arnold & Itkin LLP in Houston is representing the plaintiff, and Galveston County Court at Law No. 3 Judge Christopher Dupuy is presiding over the case.Cause No. 68,048