A seafarer who suffered a critical lower back injury while being transferred in a personnel basket onto a vessel was awarded a $2.8 million settlement in a mediation proceeding this summer. John Thibodeaux got hurt while being lifted from a fixed offshore platform onto the crew boat M/V Everready when the inadequately trained crane operator negligently lowered the basket onto the deck railing, the complaint alleged. Once the operator realized his mistake, he swung the basket and caused it to crash and collapse onto the back deck. Thibodeaux underwent an unsuccessful lumbar fusion which caused failed back syndrome and forced him to undergo the implantation of a dorsal column simulator. He filed suit against the crane operator, boat captain and the owner, J.M. Huber Corporation, for negligence. Huber initially offered to settle for $1.3 million but was turned down by Thibodeaux, who was awarded over twice that amount in a second mediation.
Category: Maritime Back and Neck Injuries
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