Seaman’s second slip-and-fall suit goes to trial

Local jurors have been tasked to try civil litigation brought by Quinton Henderson, a seaman who filed two slip-and-fall suits within a year’s time.

Court records show that Henderson filed suit against Irika Shipping, Prosperity Management and Lake Shore Shipping on Nov. 6, 2009, in Jefferson County District Court.

According to the original complaint, on April 7, 2007, Henderson was employed by Kinder-Morgan working aboard the Tina III, a vessel owned by the defendants, when he slipped and fell on the deck, injuring his back.

This is not the first slip-and-fall suit filed by Quinton Henderson.

Quinton Henderson filed a Jones Act suit against Prosperity Management Services in Jefferson County District Court on Dec. 27, 2008, claiming he slipped and fell because the ship he served on lacked “adequate walking and working surfaces.”

That suit alleged that sometime in April 2007 Henderson was serving aboard the Tina III, a vessel owned by Prosperity, when he fell and injured his back.

Henderson will ask jurors to award him damages for his past and future mental anguish, pain, lost earnings, impairment and medical expenses.

He is represented by the Law Office of Richard Schechter in Houston.

Attorney Kevin Walters represents Irika.

Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court, is presiding over the case.

Case No. D185-296