La. man says he was sexually harassed on rig

A Louisiana man is suing over claims he was sexually harassed while working as a galley hand on a vessel.

Alex Roy filed a lawsuit Oct. 17 in Galveston County District Court against W&T Offshore, citing negligence.

According to the complaint, Roy was employed as a galley hand aboard the defendant's vessel, Matterhorn MC243, on Feb. 14, and on numerous occasions between then and June, Roy was sexually harassed by Mark Semkiew, a cook on the rig.

The complaint states Semkiew asked Roy to perform sexual acts, made racist remarks, unzipped his pants and exposed himself and threatened to report Roy to management on bogus claims if he refused to perform sexual acts.

Roy says when he refused, Semkiew did report him but when Roy reported the comments made by Semkiew, management did nothing.

According the lawsuit, Roy has suffered mental anguish and emotional distress in addition to other medical problems due to the unwanted and offensive physical contact and distress. W&T Offshore is accused of negligence in failing to supervise its crew, provide proper training, adequately screen the captain or act when it was reported that a cook was sexually harassing crew members.

Roy seeks damages, including medical expenses and loss of earning capacity, punitive and exemplary damages, attorney fees, interest and costs of court.

He is represented by attorneys Michael E. Pierce and M. Paul Skrabanek of Pierce, Chapman, Skrabanek and Bruera in Houston.

Galveston County District Court case number: 14-CV-1103