Fisherman files suit in Beaumont after hand is crushed in winch drum

Imagine your right hand gets snared in fishing lines on a shrimper and sucked into an unprotected tri-net winch drum. The result is severe injuries to the hand, arm and even to your face.

That is what Cong Van Pham alleges happened to him on Sept. 13 while working aboard a commercial shrimping boat, reports the Southeast Texas Record.

Pham was evacuated from the Gulf of Mexico by Coast Guard helicopter. He spent three weeks recovering in the hospital.

He filed a negligence suit against Tim Nguyen and his company, My Julie Corp., in Jefferson County District Court in Beaumont, Tx on Dec. 28. They are accused of failure to properly crew the vessel and provide proper training.

He seeks compensation for medical expenses, impairment, past and future mental anguish, and lost wages.