A seaman recently filed an offshore injury lawsuit in Louisiana federal court over allegations that GPS Marine LLC caused him to suffer serious offshore injuries.

According to the offshore injury lawsuit, plaintiff Jason N. says that he was employed by GPS Marine as a seaman and a crewmember of a vessel when he became injured. Jason says that on or about June 25, 2018, he was performing his assigned duties aboard the dredge ship Capt. Vince Gambarella when suddenly he “slipped and fell while working with winches and rigging on barges in the fleet at Kenner Bend,” the lawsuit states.

The fall left him significantly injured, he claims. He alleges he suffered ” injuries to his right knee, possible ruptured and/or herniated discs and/or nerve damage in his spine, as well as other injuries to the bones, muscles, joints, tendons and other parts of his body.”

He accuses GPS Marine of failing to perform several obligations and duties. Some of these include them of failing to provide a safe area for him to work, of failing to exercise and correcting any unsafe working conditions that was aboard the vessel, and failing to properly maintain the vessel.

Due to his sustained injuries, Jason says that he has incurred past and future medical expenses, loss of future wage and earning capacity, and sustained past and future mental pain and suffering.

Overview: Offshore Injury Lawsuit

Maritime injury lawyers can help workers who may have sustained serious injuries while on a cruise ship or commercial vessel. A vessel or carrier owes its workers and passengers a standard of reasonable care. Working as a mariner or on a commercial ship is not easy and there are many risks in this line of work. Merchant seamen may suffer injuries for any of the following reasons:

• Docking accidents
• Fire injuries
• Overboard falls
• Swimming pool accidents
• Injuries because of navigational errors
• Norovirus infections and other types of food poisoning

Those who have worked on vessels as seamen are covered by the Merchant Marine Act, also known as the Jones Act. Any seamen who have also become injured or ill while aboard a vessel may also be covered by the Federal Employers Liability Act, an extension passed by Congress in 1920.

To be covered by the Jones Act, a crew member must have been on board a boat or group of boats owned by the same individual or corporation at least 30 percent of their employment time.

A ship owner may be found negligent under a variety of different circumstances. The ship owner must affirm that appliances and equipment for use are working safely and properly; that crewman and ship master are competent in their line of work; that dangerous weather is by-passed; appropriate medical treatment and care is given when necessary; and guidance and supervision is provided.

In any case where offshore injuries have been sustained, an experienced maritime injury attorney can help determine whether the injuries were due to the charter company, vessel owner, or other ticketing agency. An experienced maritime attorney can help you obtain maximum compensation from the entity responsible for your harms and sustained injuries.

The Offshore Injury Lawsuit is Case No. 2:18-cv-10948-SM-JCW, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.