$700,000 recovered for offshore worker injured during dangerous drillship operation in the Gulf of Mexico

Case Overview

Steve worked offshore as part of a casing crew aboard a drillship operating in the Gulf of
Mexico. His job involved physically demanding and hazardous work during drilling operations

far offshore. During one shift, worsening weather conditions and operational pressures combined
to create a dangerous work environment that ultimately changed Steve’s life.
On the day of the accident, high winds and rough seas had already caused crane operations
aboard the vessel to be shut down. At the same time, drilling operations were experiencing
complications that created urgency among the offshore supervisors to continue operations as
quickly as possible.
Steve and his supervisor were assigned the task of changing heavy machinery used in drilling
operations. Normally, the task required additional crew members and a mechanical lifting device
to safely maneuver the heavy steel components into place. However, because the available lifting
equipment was being used elsewhere and crew resources had been reduced, Steve and his
supervisor attempted to manually perform the operation under pressure to keep the drilling
process moving.
While lifting and positioning one of the heavy pieces, the drillship shifted in rough seas, causing
the equipment to slip unexpectedly. As Steve attempted to stop the falling equipment, he
immediately felt a severe pop and pain radiating through his neck, shoulder, and back.

Over time, Steve developed significant cervical spine injuries, chronic neck pain, nerve damage,
numbness, weakness, and radiating symptoms into his right arm and hand. Conservative
treatment failed to relieve his symptoms. Eventually, he underwent a cervical fusion surgery,
followed later by additional upper extremity surgery involving carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel
decompression procedures.
Even after surgery and years of treatment, Steve continued experiencing severe pain, numbness,
weakness, headaches, arm swelling, and limitations affecting nearly every aspect of his daily life.
Activities he once enjoyed, including fishing, working outdoors, caring for horses, and spending
time actively with his children, became difficult or impossible.

Flattmann Law pursued claims under the Jones Act and general maritime law against multiple
offshore entities involved in the operation. Through litigation and discovery, including corporate
depositions, evidence revealed numerous safety failures involving inadequate staffing, lack of
proper lifting equipment, insufficient safety procedures, and pressure placed on workers to rush
dangerous operations.
The case required extensive expert involvement, including maritime safety experts, vocational
experts, life care planners, economists, and medical specialists to fully document Steve’s
injuries, future medical needs, lost earning capacity, and permanent disability.
The litigation also involved substantial additional work resolving complex medical liens and
reimbursement claims, including a workers’ compensation reimbursement interest, helping
maximize Steve’s net recovery following settlement.

After years of litigation, two separate mediations, and extensive trial preparation, the case
ultimately resolved for $700,000 shortly before trial.