Offshore captain files Jones Act claim after injuries on just salvaged boat

On September 11, 2010, just two weeks had passed since the M/V Poul Deau sank. But already the boat had been retrofitted and owner/operator Couvillion Group LLC, had it back in service.

While loading supplies and stepping down from the dock in Pascagoula, Mississippi, the captain, an unnamed 32-year old man from Tifton, Georgia, caught his foot on a 2 x 4  plank that had allegedly been negligently installed beneath a tool box in the bow. The plank had been installed to shore up the tool box in a level attitude over the deck which sloped downward to aft. His foot turned and he fell on the starboard side of the boat, suffering serious injuries including nerve damage in his left foot, a fractured tibia and sprained ankle.

Two crewmembers witnessed the accident which took place during a BP oil cleanup operation.

The captain is presently disabled and has three small children.  He has filed a Jones Act claim for permanent and severe injuries against Couvillion which is based in Belle Chasse, Louisiana.

Source: Offshore Injuries.com