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Maritime News

Jones Act lawsuit filed by worker injured in fall from ladder

Posted on Jul 31, 2009

A Jones Act lawsuit has been filed against Cal Dive Offshore Contractors by employee Timothy David Jones. Jones, a Nederland resident, filed the claim in the Beaumont Division of the Eastern District of Texas, claims that he was hurt while working on a Cal Dive barge.

The complaint, filed July 22, claims that Jones climbed a ladder to get to a diesel generator. Later, when he was descending the ladder he slipped. While able to stop the fall with his arm, he sustained serious and permanent injuries.

Jones was employed as a seaman and performed oiler and mechanic work on the Cal Dive barge, according to the complaint. Choppy seas contributed to the accident.

The injured worker is seeking maintenance and cure, fees for his attorney, medical expenses, damages for physical pain, damages for mental anguish, damages for lost earnings, and compensation for physical impairment and loss of consortium.

U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield will be hearing the case.

To fight the case, Jones’ employer may use one of several tricks often employed by companies seeking to avoid paying damages in Jones Act cases. Read more in our library article “Five Common Tricks Your Company Will Use to Fight Your Jones Act and Maritime Claim”.