A Louisiana man is suing the principal contractor of a job where he alleges he was severely injured because of the contractor's negligence.
Anthony Ray Mata Sr., as friend of Corey Mata, filed the lawsuit June 18 in the Galveston Division of the Southern District of Texas against Freeport McMoRan, alleging negligence.
According to the complaint, Freeport McMoRan, a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in Phoenix, operates an oil platform offshore from High Island, Texas. The suit says on June 12, Corey Mata was working as a technician for Blue Fin Services of Broussard when he was severely injured while being transferred from a vessel via personnel basket by an employee of Freeport McMoRan.
During the transfer, the lawsuit states the crane operator lifted the personnel basket in such a way that Corey Mata and others were crashed into the platform and then sling-shot into the air, the complaint states. Mata landed on his head, face and body, causing disabling injuries, the suit says, and he remains hospitalized in Galveston as of the time of the filing.
The suit charges negligence and gross negligence against the defendant, which led to Corey Mata's injuries, including a broken back and brain damage.
Anthony Ray Mata Sr. and Corey Mata seek compensation for past and future disability and pain, loss of earning capacity, medical expenses, physical disfigurement, as well as punitive damages. They also seek a jury trial. The Matas are represented by attorneys Francis I. Spagnoletti and Jerry C. von Sternberg of Spagnoletti & Co. in Houston.
Galveston Division of the Southern District of Texas case number 3:15-cv-00155.