HOUSTON — An engineer who suffered burns and other injuries when a engine sprayed hot water onto her is claiming Diamond Offshore's negligence.
Patricia Ormond filed a complaint May 17 in Harris County District Court against Diamond Offshore Management Company, Diamond Offshore Limited and Diamond Offshore Company alleging negligence and unseaworthiness and wrongful denial of maintenance and cure under the Jones Act.
According to her suit, Ormond was working for the defendants as an "oiler placed as 3rd asst. engineer" on the vessel Ocean Black on Feb. 20, 2019. She alleges that the main engine number that she was working on was not "properly locked out" when she was told to remove the "high temperature cooling water manifold."
Ormond claims the hot water sprayed onto her face, neck and leg and that she had to climb on to the upper engine room walkway to escape. She alleges she suffered burns and a back injury and that her accident was not documented or investigated properly.
She also alleges she continues to suffer from complications from her injuries and has undergone multiple treatments, injections, physical therapy and will require future treatment and potential surgery.
Ormond seeks more than $1 million, trial by jury and all other proper relief. She is represented by Michael Doyle, Patricia Dennis and Jeffrey Avery of Doyle LLP in Houston.
Harris County District Court case number 2021-29362