Seaman files negligence claim against two ship owners

A seaman is suing two companies he says are responsible for injuries he allegedly received when two vessels collided off the Texas coast. 

Robert Parker III filed a lawsuit Aug. 12 in Galveston County District Court against U.S. Environmental Services, of New Orleans, and OMI Environmental Solutions of Belle Chasse, La.  In September 2012, Parker says he was working as a seamen for OMI Environmental Solutions on the vessel OMI 4233. While working over navigable waters, the captain of the vessel allegedly hit the Intrepid III, a ship owned by US Environmental Services. According to the complaint, the Intrepid III had non-functioning lights. As a result of the collision, Parker says he suffered severe injuries to his neck and back. 

Parker accuses U.S. Environmental Services of negligence and gross negligence for allegedly operating its vessel in an unsafe manner and without adequate lighting. He contends OMI Environmental Solutions is also liable for failing to travel on the starboard side of the river, operating the vessel at or near maximum speed and failing to keep a proper lookout. 

Parker seeks an unspecified amount of money in actual, exemplary and punitive damages to compensate for medical costs, pain and suffering, mental anguish, lost earnings, impairments and disfigurement. Attorneys Kurt B. Arnold and J. Kyle Findley of Arnold & Itkin in Houston represent him. 

The case number is Galveston County District Court case CV-0072607

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