Maritime News

Seaman Files Jones Act Claim For Offshore Crane Accident

Posted on May 02, 2011

An offshore roustabout is suing his employer for injuries he sustained when a crane operator dropped a steel plate on his foot.

The offshore crane accident occurred on October 8, 2010. Floyd Wigley was a roustabout and crewmember on ENSCO 68, a drilling rig owned by Ensco Offshore Company.

Wigley is accusing Ensco Offshore Company of negligence for failing to provide him with a safe place to work, for improper and unsafe method of operation, and for failing to adequately train, instruct, supervise or oversee crew members. He is also alleging that Ensco failed to provide sufficiently numerous or competent crew for the task being performed and failed to provide necessary personal safety equipment to crew members.

The Jones Act lawsuit also accuses Ensco Offshore Company of:

Failure to provide proper binding, sling, or rigging methods
Failure to properly position, lifted, move or handle materials
Failure to properly position crane, failing to remedy unseaworthy conditions
Failure to alleviate known dangers

Offshore cranes are large structures that can weigh over 100 tons. Cranes are necessary for the operation of offshore oil rigs. Everything brought on to an oil rig, from personnel to equipment to supplies, is lifted on to the rig by a crane. When cranes aren't safely operated, a crane accident can cause serious injury or death. So, it is essential that companies operating cranes train those who use them in safe operating procedures and keep them well-maintained. To learn more, read our article: "Preventing Offshore Crane Accidents."