Plaintiff’s claim for unseaworthiness dismissed

Ensco Offshore recently had its motion to dismiss claim for unseaworthiness granted in a Jones Act suit. 

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 Ensco filed the motion on April 12, asserting that the court had already dismissed the plaintiff’s Jones Act claim because he was not an Ensco employee.

On those grounds, the claim for unseaworthiness should be dismissed also, the motion states.

Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court, granted the motion on May 6, 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