GALVESTON – A seaman is suing two businesses and an individual, alleging he was injured and then left by a commercial fishing vessel while in a marsh wetland in the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.
Russell Flores of Matagorda County filed a lawsuit Dec. 14 against Steven K. Rawlings, Rawlings Bait Camp and Rawlings Seafood Shoppe in the Galveston Division of the Southern District of Texas, alleging injuries suffered while in their employ.
According to the complaint, on Aug, 24, Flores suffered the injuries while a seaman on a commercial fishing vessel, the M/V Big Jake, when he stepped with both feet into a muddy marsh wetland. The suit says his upper body was thrust forward, and he heard a pop in his knee.
The lawsuit states the captain of the commercial fishing vessel failed to provide aide and left Flores there. The plaintiff alleges he has sought reasonable and necessary medical treatment, and is entitled to maintenance at a rate of $35 per day.
Flores seeks compensatory damages of $1 million, plus found and fringe benefits. He is represented by attorney Matthew D. Shaffer of Schechter, McElwee, Shaffer and Harris LLP in Houston.
Galveston Division of the Southern District of Texas Case number 3:15-cv-00348