A Louisiana man is suing several offshore drilling companies, alleging negligence for injuries he says he sustained aboard one of their vessels.
Charles Miller filed a lawsuit July 22 in the Galveston Division of the Southern District of Texas against Noble Drilling Services, Noble Drilling (U.S.), Noble International, Noble Services International, Noble Drilling Corporation, Noble Corporation and Paragon Offshore Drilling, alleging negligence and un-seaworthiness, and breach of maintenance and cure.
According to the complaint, Miller was employed by the defendants as an electrician and crew member aboard the defendants-owned Noble Dave Beard, a vessel operating in navigable waters. On Oct. 11, 2014, the suit states, while Miller was performing his duties aboard the vessel off the coast of Brazil, he fell from a ladder on the vessel and was knocked unconscious.
The suit says the defendants were negligent in failing to maintain the vessel in a safe and reasonable state of repair, failing to take reasonable precautions for Miller's safety, failing to provide a reasonably safe place to work and failing to warn of known or existing hazards, among other negligent acts or omissions.
As a result, the suit states, Miller sustained injuries including a concussion, orbital and nasal fractures, visual problems, knee and back injuries, dental injuries and a traumatic brain injury, for which he is still undergoing treatment. The complaint further alleges the defendants have breached their duty to the plaintiff by denying to pay maintenance and cure.
Miller seeks actual and punitive damages, interests, attorney fees and costs of the suit. He is represented by attorneys Francis I. Spagnoletti and Jerry C. von Sternberg (of counsel) of Spagnoletti & Co. in Houston.
Galveston Division of the Southern District of Texas case number 3:15-cv-00192.