Derek Aswell and John Alford’s Collaboration Leads to $1.5 Million Settlement for Injured Engineer

Attorneys Derek Aswell from our Lafayette office and John Alford from our Covington office joined forces to represent a sixty-year-old engineer who was injured on a vessel. Their combined expertise and resources resulted in a $1.5 million settlement for our client three days into jury trial.

The plaintiff, a newly employed engineer, was assigned to grease the anchor on the bow of a vessel during a night shift. While performing his duties, he slipped and fell on the grating that covered the anchor hole which caused a neck and spinal cord injury. As a new employee (but a long-time engineer on vessels), he was unfamiliar with the ship’s layout. He testified that the deck was cluttered with rope, and the grating was ill-fitted and dilapidated, which contributed to his fall.

Derek and John uncovered evidence that, within a week of the plaintiff’s employment, a fire in the engine room had disabled the ship’s electricity. Although temporary lighting was provided in some areas of the ship, there was no active lighting on the bow, which further contributed to the hazardous conditions and his unwitnessed fall         . Defendant argued he had the experience to stop work if he thought it was unsafe.

As a result of the fall, our plaintiff underwent an SI joint fusion and a cervical fusion, both of which yielded positive results. His treating spine surgeon testified that he would be permanently restricted to sedentary work.

Though the case went to trial, it was settled after several days. Derek and John’s collaboration secured a $1.5 million settlement for our plaintiff, reflecting the firm’s commitment to pursuing justice for clients, regardless of the complexities of a case.

The attorneys at Broussard, David & Moroux have the knowledge and experience necessary to handle cases of this nature and will fight to obtain fair compensation for your injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered harm because of the fault of another, contact the attorneys at Broussard, David & Moroux to discuss your legal rights at (337) 233-2323 (local) or (888) 337-2323 (toll-free).