Doyle Dennis Avery LLP has been hired to bring an offshore injury claim, under United States maritime law and the Jones Act which is Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, on behalf of a worker who was injured while touring and inspecting a ship in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana. The claim against Valaris PLC is based in Harris County, Texas. Valaris PLC is a company that is organized under the laws of the United Kingdom, but which does business in a systematic and continuous manner throughout the State of Texas and Harris County. Doyle Dennis Avery LLP’s client was a foreign national but working out of Valaris PLC’s Houston office when his injuries occurred.
The claim, which is brought under maritime law and the Jones Act, is based upon the negligence of our client’s Jones Act employer Valaris PLC, the negligence of its employees, officers and crew; and the condition of Valaris PLC’s vessel, the Valaris Renaissance. On or about February 17, 2020, Doyle Dennis Avery LLP’s client was involved in touring and inspecting the Defendant’s vessel the Valaris Renaissance. As he descended a staircase Doyle Dennis Avery LLP’s client fell due to a defective step, which lacked the bullnose protection on the end of the step. Valaris PLC, failed by and through its employees and officers, was negligent in creating the dangerous conditions that proximately resulted in Doyle Dennis Avery LLP client’s injuries and in failing to provide adequate crew and equipment, failing to supervise and train the crew, and in other respects. Valaris PLC was aware that the step was broken and in need of repairs but failed to fix the step or maintain it in a safe condition it required. Valaris Renaissance was a vessel for which Valaris PLC owed Doyle Dennis Avery LLP’s client a duty of seaworthiness as a seaman. Valaris PLC breached that duty because the Valaris Renaissance was dangerous, not reasonably fit for its intended purposes, not reasonably safe, and unseaworthy. This unseaworthiness included Valaris PLC’s failure to provide adequate crew and equipment, failing to supervise and train the crew, and in other respects. The dangerous and defective condition of the Valaris Renaissance violated applicable laws and regulations of the United States of America for vessels, and accordingly, Defendant is liable for negligence, negligence per se, and unseaworthiness. As a result of his injuries, Doyle Dennis Avery LLP’s client was taken by medical lift to see a doctor immediately followed by serious medical care follow-up at the time. Due to the severity of his injuries will require other additional medical treatment in the future.
The incident resulted in severe injuries to Doyle Dennis Avery LLP’s client including to his tail bone, back, spine, and body generally. As a result, this client has been exposed to significant damages that are owed under maritime law and the Jones Act. Under admiralty law, maritime law, and the Jones Act, this injured maritime worker will be entitled to seek lost wages, lost future earning capacity, past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, physical impairment, mental anguish and other damages.
Offshore workers are a vital part of the Global economy. As a result, a complex set of laws, including admiralty law, maritime law, the Jones Act, and other offshore injury rules, provide workers certain protections and rights. If you would like to understand those rights protected by maritime law, following an offshore injury, the attorneys at Doyle Dennis Avery LLP can assist in providing a free evaluation of your claim, based upon years of experience and success in representing injured offshore workers under maritime law and the Jones Act. Call us now to discuss your claim.
