January 19, 2010
Ship engineer files Jones Act suit in Galveston
GALVESTON - An Alabama seaman is suing his employer for $75,000 for injuries he reportedly sustained on the job.
Leslie Vincent Tapia accuses Supreme Offshore Services Inc. of failing to furnish him safe and proper equipment on board the M/V Warren Thomas.
"Such a failure to provide proper working equipment proximately caused and resulted in the injuries and damages sustained by the plaintiff," the suit says.
Under the Jones Act, the suit was filed Jan. 6 in Galveston County District Court and claims the vessel was not seaworthy.
Tapia worked as an engineer on the Warren Thomas.
He was cleaning out the bilge and began washing the starboard engine when he suffered severe and disabling injuries, the suit says.
The suit does not elaborate on the extent of the injuries.
Tapia claims the defendant has refused to help pay for his medical treatment.
"The plaintiff would show that nothing he did or failed to do caused, or in any way contributed to his injuries," the suit says.
Tapia claims to have suffered pain, impairment, disfigurement and lost wages because of the alleged incident and is seeking $75,000. A jury trial is demanded.
Houston attorney Richard J. Plezia is representing the plaintiff.
The case has been assigned to Galveston County 212th District Court Judge Susan Criss.
Case No. 10cv0017
