Higman Barge Line sued after employee is injured aboard vessel

A seaman is suing after sustaining injuries while working aboard a vessel.

Joseph R. Kesinger filed a lawsuit Feb. 11 in the Galveston County District Court against Higman Barge Lines Inc.

According to the complaint, on July 29, 2012, Kesinger was seriously injured while attempting to lift a heavy cooler without proper assistance while working aboard The M/V Empire, which was owned and/or operated by the defendant.

The plaintiff alleges the defendant failed to provide a safe place to work, failed to provide sufficient manpower to perform the work, failed to provide mechanical assistance to perform the work and failed to maintain the crane aboard the vessel in proper repair.

Kesinger is seeking an undisclosed amount in damages.

The plaintiff is being represented in the case by attorney Matthew D. Shaffer of Schechter, McElwee, Shaffer & Harris LLP.

Galveston County District Court Case No. 3:14-cv-00043

 

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in the Galveston County District Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.