In a dramatic legal battle unfolding in Harris County, Texas, a longshoreman has taken legal action against two major shipping corporations, alleging severe negligence that led to his injury. Odis Jefferson filed the complaint on March 20, 2025, in the District Court of Harris County against Seaspan Corporation and Seaspan Ship Management Ltd. The case highlights significant safety concerns within the maritime industry.
Odis Jefferson, a resident of Harris County, accuses Seaspan Corporation and its subsidiary, Seaspan Ship Management Ltd., of gross negligence following an incident on August 13, 2023. On that day, while working as a longshoreman at the Port of Houston aboard the vessel Cosco Malaysia—operated by Seaspan Management and owned by Seaspan—Jefferson fell approximately 20 feet through an unmarked hole where a hatch had been removed. "No warnings or safety barriers were provided," Jefferson claims in his petition. He argues that the defendants failed in their duty to provide a safe work environment and neglected to warn him of potential dangers. Asserting that these failures constitute both negligence and gross negligence under Texas law, Jefferson seeks damages exceeding $1 million for his injuries.
The plaintiff's accusations are serious: he alleges that the defendants' conduct involved an extreme degree of risk given the circumstances and showed conscious indifference to safety standards. The lawsuit outlines several areas where the defendants allegedly failed: hiring competent employees, maintaining safe conditions, supervising adequately, and enforcing safety protocols. "Defendants breached their duties," states Jefferson's petition, emphasizing how these lapses led directly to his fall and subsequent injuries.
Jefferson is pursuing compensation for various damages including past and future physical pain and suffering, medical expenses, mental anguish, disfigurement, loss of wages or earning capacity, household services loss, exemplary damages for gross negligence or malicious conduct by the defendants. He also demands that all evidence related to this incident be preserved by the defendants to prevent spoliation.
Representing Odis Jefferson are attorneys Benny Agosto Jr., Lena Laurenzo, and Barney P. Dill from Abraham Watkins Nichols Agosto Aziz & Stogner law firm based in Houston. The case is being heard under Case ID 2025-18990 in Court No. 190 with Judge Tianni Williams presiding over proceedings.