A Texas seaman has filed a lawsuit against his former employer, accusing the company of negligence that led to severe injuries while on duty. Jesus Gomez Villareal filed the complaint in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, on April 25, 2025, targeting Weeks Marine, Inc., a foreign limited liability company operating in Texas.
According to the court documents, Villareal was recruited by Weeks Marine while working for Encore Marine in Texas. He was enticed by promises of safety and competent crews made by a representative from Weeks Marine. After agreeing to join their project at the Houston Ship Channel, Villareal underwent physical exams and orientation before starting work. Unfortunately, during his tenure with Weeks Marine, he suffered multiple injuries due to alleged negligence and unsafe working conditions. The petition details incidents where Villareal injured his hand using an improperly maintained impact gun and sustained back injuries after tripping on a crane barge due to inadequate lighting. Additionally, he suffered further injuries when assigned inappropriate tasks for his role as a tender boat operator in rough seas.
Villareal's lawsuit claims that Weeks Marine failed in its duty to provide a safe working environment and adequately trained personnel. He argues that the company's recruiting efforts in Texas led to hiring undertrained and incompetent crew members who compromised safety standards. The complaint highlights that these failures resulted from negligent screening, hiring, and training processes conducted within Texas. Villareal alleges that these lapses directly contributed to his injuries and seeks compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, permanent physical impairment, and other damages.
The plaintiff is seeking over one million dollars in damages along with pre- and post-judgment interest. Furthermore, Villareal accuses Weeks Marine of willful misconduct by failing to provide necessary maintenance and cure benefits following his injuries. He asserts that the company's actions were arbitrary and capricious, warranting additional compensation for attorney fees.
Representing Jesus Gomez Villareal are attorneys Anthony G. Buzbee and Christopher J. Leavitt from The Buzbee Law Firm based in Houston, Texas. The case is filed under Case ID 2025-29358 in the 165th District Court of Harris County.