A worker on a Gulf of Mexico platform is suing his ex-employer after falling through deck grating into the ocean.

Daniel W. Martin’s suit was filed Sept. 9 in New Orleans federal court against Noble Drilling (U.S.) and Noble Leasing (Switzerland) GMBH, reports the Louisiana Record.

According to court documents, while working as a crewmember on the semisubmersible Noble Jim Thompson on May 11, 2011, Martin fell through a hole in the lower deck grating that became dislodged and dropped into the high seas of the Gulf. This resulted in multiple serious injuries including fractures to his vertebrae. Moreover, he was injured from barnacles while desperately clinging to his life on the vessel’s side tank.

Martin claims that because of the accident he has not been able to return to work as a roustabout and crane operator trainee nor return to any other work he is qualified according to his education and skill level.

He seeks compensation for disability, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, fear, fright, loss of wages and earnings capacity.

The defendant stands accused of negligence for not providing a safe working place and seaworthy vessel, failure to warn him of a known danger and failure to inspect and repair the vessel in a timely manner.