Defendants severed from Jones Act claim

Earlier this month, several defendants sued under the Jones Act had their motion for severance granted.

As previously reported, Travis Dickinsheets filed suit against Gulf Copper Ship Repair and Gulf Copper & Manufacturing on Feb. 17, 2012, in Jefferson County District Court, claiming he was crushed by 450 pounds of pipe while offshore.

Ensco Offshore, American Equity Risk Services and Donny Amaya were later added as defendants.

Court records show that on March 7 Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court, ordered that Gulf Copper, AERS and Amaya be severed from the cause and assigned the new cause No. E191-976-A.

The defendants had filed a joint motion for severance on March 1, court papers say.

The lawsuit alleges that on Oct. 28, 2010, Dickinsheets was serving aboard a Gulf Copper offshore vessel when 450 pounds of pipe fell on him, causing serious and disabling injuries.

Dickinsheets alleges Gulf Copper controlled the area and negligently failed to provide him with a safe workplace.

He is suing for punitive and exemplary damages.

Houston attorney Brian Beckcom of Vujasinovic & Beckcom represents him.

Beaumont attorney Mark Freeman of Stevens Baldo Freeman & Lighty represents Gulf Copper.

Case No. E191-976