Maritime News

Diver Files Jones Act Lawsuit for Offshore Injuries

Posted on Nov 26, 2010

A diver has filed a Jones Act lawsuit against his employer for injuries from two separate accidents that occurred while the diver was working aboard the vessel M/V Explorer.

On November 15, 2010, Danilo Peralta filed suit against in federal court in New Orleans. The seaman is seeking damages for physical, mental and emotional pain and suffering, loss of wages, fringe benefits and wage earning capacity, medical expenses, physical disability, maintenance and cure, punitive damages, interest and attorney's fees.

The first of the two accidents occurred on June 13. Peralta sustained a serious and painful injury to his elbow. The next accident occurred on September 2; Peralta injured his knee.

Epic Diving and Marine Services is accused of breaching its legal duty of reasonable care owed to the seaman. The employer failed to provide a reasonably safe place to work, failed to properly train and supervise Peralta, failed to provide adequate equipment and personnel for the job, failed to provide minimum safety requirements and failed to take any means or precautions for the safety of its employees and created and maintained an unseaworthy vessel.

Louisiana maritime attorneys Timothy J. Young and Jason MacFetters of The Young Firm are representing the diver.