BEAUMONT — A Port Arthur man is suing ship owners, alleging their negligence led to the plaintiff suffering serious head injuries.
Cory Freeman filed a lawsuit Sept. 9 in Jefferson County District Court against Crowley Global Supplies Ship Management Inc. and J. Flanagan Shipping Corporation, alleging they negligently entrusted a pallet jack to an employee.
According to the complaint, on Feb. 26, Freeman was working aboard the vessel Ocean Globe when he heard something rolling. When he looked back, the suit says, a palled jack came through a hatch and hit him in the head. At the time of the incident, the lawsuit says, employees of Crowley and and J. Flanagan were working in the holds and on the deck of the Ocean Globe.
The lawsuit states the impact caused Freeman serious injuries that resulted in physical pain, disfigurement, mental anguish and loss of earning capacity, plus required medical care and treatment.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants negligently hired reckless and incompetent employees and failed to properly train, instruct and supervise them.
Freeman seeks trial by jury, judgment for actual, compensatory and exemplary damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, costs of court, attorney fees and all further relief. He is represented by attorney Byron C. Alfred of VB Attorneys in Houston.
Jefferson County District Court Case number D-198970