HOUSTON — The wife of a liftboat worker who died when the boat capsized during severe weather is claiming the vessel owner's negligence.
Shelia Wallingsford, individually and in her capacity as representative of the Estate of James Wallingsford filed a complaint April 27 in Harris County. District Court against Seacor Marine LLC, Seacor Liftboats LLC and Talos Energy LLC alleging unseaworthiness and negligence.
According to the plaintiff's complaint, Wallingsford's husband James worked on the defendant's liftboat the Seacor Power which was sailing from Port Fourchon, Lousiana on April 13, 2021, when it capsized due to poor weather conditions.
She alleges that three days after the vessel capsized, her husband and one other crew member were found in the port-side engine room air pocket and an autopsy revealed Wallingsford's cause of death was not from drowning and out of 19 crew members, six were rescued alive and six recovered deceased.
The plaintiff claims the defendants failed to navigate under "good seamanship," failed to properly man, equip and supply the vessel and provide adequate training. She also claims the defendants failed to inspect and maintain the vessel properly and failed to properly monitor or plan for "heavy weather conditions" or have a rescue plan.
The plaintiff seeks monetary relief of more than $1 million, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. She is represented by Christopher Walker of The Potts Law Firm in Houston.
Harris County District Court case number 2021-25081