Seaman Claims Injuries After Ship Capsized

Isidro Vega has filed a personal injury suit against Mike Hooks Inc. and M/V Missouri Edge, claiming he suffered injuries when the boat he was aboard on August 11 capsized.

According Vega’s suit, filed in Texas’ Jefferson County District Court on February 18, he was a passenger on the M/V Missouri Edge, owned by Mike Hooks, when he slipped and fell, causing him to suffer injuries to his back, legs, hips, and groin.

The suit says the boat, which was deployed on the navigable waters alongside Alligator, Louisiana, capsized.

The suit claims the defendants were subjectively aware of the “extreme” risk created by the conditions causing the ship to capsize, but made no efforts to correct them. The suit alleges they instead insisted Vega and other members of the crew continue to work, despite the dangerous conditions.

Vega claims the incident caused him to experience physical pain, mental anguish, physical impairment, discomfort, distress, medical expenses, and lost earnings.

Vega says that in spite of his injuries, he has not been paid maintenance and care, even though he claims to be entitled to them.

The suit alleges negligence on the part of Mike Hook and M/V Missouri Edge for failure to provide proper supervision, failure to properly train employees, failure to provide adequate safety equipment, failure to provide adequate medical treatment, failure to provide proper maintenance to the ship’s equipment, failure to properly maintain the ship, and improper operation of the vessel.

Vega seeks actual and exemplary damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, costs and other relief to which he may be entitled.