HOUSTON — An oil rig worker is claiming an oversized, unsecured mattress in his quarters caused him to fall and slam into the deck while he was sleeping.
Mauro Ortiz Reyes filed a complaint July 23 in Harris County District Court against EnVen Energy Ventures LLC alleging negligence and other claims.
Reyes was working as field engineer on a "fix oil platform" in the Gulf of Mexico on May 8, 2021, according to his suit. He alleges that while assigned to the drilling rig in Mississippi Canyon located 105 miles offshore from New Orleans, he fell "several feet" from a top bunk during his "rest cycle" after working the night shift.
Reyes claims as a result of the fall, he suffered severe injuries, including to his head, neck, back and hip that caused pain, impairment, disability, disfigurement and also incurred pharmaceutical and medical expenses.
He further claims the mattress he was supplied was "oversized" and "extended well beyond the reach of the bed frame" which caused him to slip off the bed and "slam" into the deck while he was sleeping. Reyes claims the defendant's negligence for failing to provide adequate quarters and failing to warn of the danger.
Reyes seeks monetary relief of more than $1 million, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief.
He is represented by Jason Itkin and Trent Shelton of Arnold & Itkin LLP in Houston.
Harris County District Court case number 2021-44845