A crewmember aboard the M/V Captain Andrew has sued the vessel’s captain after injuring her fingers on an anchor rope.
On January 7, 2011, Rhonda Dardar Jackson filed a Jones Act Lawsuit against Captain Andrew Chaisson, Lawson Environmental Services & Response Co. and Lawson Environmental Service in federal court in New Orleans. She claims her injury occurred because the vessel’s captain for failed to inform her of the risks associated with her job.
At the time of the accident, Jackson was an employee of Lawson Environmental assigned to work as a crewmember on the M/V Captain Andrew. The vessel was working to remove oil containment boom material from navigable waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Jackson injured her fingers when she was ordered to handle the anchor line. Her fingers were crushed between the rope and the bit on the bow. The accident left her permanently disabled.
The defendants in the lawsuit are accused of negligence for failing to provide a safe place to work, failing to follow safety precautions in the operation and employment of equipment, personnel and vessels, failing to properly train and supervise employees, and failing to have an adequate crew. They are also charged with failing to maintain the vessel and failing to comply with safety standards and governmental safety regulations.
Jackson is seeking Jones Act damages for her medical expenses; rehabilitative expenses; lost income; lost wages, benefits and other compensation; loss of earnings capacity and loss of insurability; physical pain and suffering; mental and emotional anguish and distress; disfigurement; loss of enjoyment of life; court costs; maintenance and cure; interest; and attorney’s fees.
