Houston's Arnold & Itkin Wins $4 Million Louisiana Verdict for Injured Worker

HOUSTON, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The Houston trial law firm Arnold & Itkin LLP is announcing a verdict of more than $4 million handed down late Thursday on behalf of a worker who suffered serious injuries after being thrown against a ship.

A jury in Judge John Conery's 16th Judicial District Court in St. Mary's Parish, Louisiana, awarded $3.55 million to Ted Guillotte, a lead offshore mechanic who was injured while traveling to work on a jack-up rig in the Gulf of Mexico. With pre-trial interest, the total judgment will exceed $4 million.

Attorneys Bob Wynne and Michael Pierce of Arnold & Itkin represented Mr. Guillotte in his claims against Heather Lynn Inc., the owner and operator of the M/V Captain Rayne crew vessel.

Mr. Guillotte suffered several severe injuries on March 14, 2006, when he was being moved from the M/V Captain Rayne to the rig. To complete the move, Mr. Guillotte had to be hoisted on a crane in a personnel transfer basket. During the maneuver, the vessel captain lost control and caused the basket in which Mr. Guillotte was standing to hit the deck of the vessel. As a result, Mr. Guillotte suffered severe injuries to his neck and back that required multiple surgeries.

"For maritime workers, every single step is incredibly dangerous," says Mr. Wynne. "It should have been a routine transfer, but it turned into a catastrophe for our client. We're just glad that the jury did the right thing and held the defendants responsible."

At trial, Mr. Wynne and Mr. Pierce argued that the defendant was negligent for failing to maintain control of the vessel, and for failing to supervise and instruct its crew. The verdict, handed down September 30, 2010, includes $1.67 million in lost wages, $370,000 in medical expenses and $1.5 million for pain, suffering, and physical impairment.

The case is Ted Guillotte v. Heather Lynn Inc., No. 118-062.

Arnold & Itkin represents clients in high-stakes cases involving serious personal injury claims, maritime accidents, medical and pharmaceutical injuries, products liability and business disputes. To learn more, visit the firm's Web site at http://www.lawyerforyou.com/.

For more information, please contact Alan Bentrup at 800-559-4534 office or [email protected].

SOURCE Arnold & Itkin LLP