A seaman is suing after sustaining injuries while working aboard a vessel.
Arturo Gonzalez filed a lawsuit Feb. 17 in the Galveston Division of the U.S. Court for the Southern District of Texas against Snodgrass Brothers Inc. and Michael S. Inc., citing the Jones Act and maritime law.
According to the complaint, on Oct. 7, Gonzalez was employed by Snodgrass Brothers as captain aboard F/V Michael S. when his pant leg got caught by the Power Take Off drive shaft causing the amputation of Gonzalez's right leg and other injuries.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants were negligent for failing to provide a safe place to work, failing to place a guard over the PTO sprocket/shaft, failing to properly maintain the vessel’s engine and the vessel was unseaworthy.
Gonzalez 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.
United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas Case No. 3:14-cv-00049
This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. 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.