HOUSTON — A seaman who was injured on a vessel owned by Valaris is claiming negligence.
Derreck Deane filed a complaint Dec. 12 in Harris County District Court against Valaris PLC alleging negligence.
Deane, according to his complaint, was employed as a seaman on Valaris' VS18 Drill Ship on April 2022. He claims as he was working near the hydrotone, it came down and hit him on his shoulder which caused him to suffer serious injury to his shoulder, neck and other parts of his body. Deane alleges the Valaris' crane crew placed the hydrotone in the wrong place and failed to properly train and supervise its employees or maintain adequate safety procedures.
He also alleges Valaris failed to maintain a safe work environment, did not provide him with appropriate medical attention and did not have an adequate crew on the vessel. Deane claims Valaris' actions violate Coast Guard, OSHA and MSS rules and that the accident caused him to suffer pain, mental anguish, impairment and lost earnings.
Deane seeks monetary relief of more than $1 million, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. He is represented by Jason Itkin and Trenton Shelton of Arnold & Itkin LLP in Houston.
Harris County District Court case number 2022-80143