Sleeve comes loose from equipment on drilling rig, strikes worker's face: Negligent safety procedures: Multiple facial fractures: Verdict

Law Reporter, Dec 2003

Anderson v. Ensco Offshore Co., U.S. Dist. Ct., S.D. Miss., No. 2:02CV79PG, July 16, 2003.

Anderson, 46, was working on a drilling rig. Anderson was supervising the lifting and repositioning of a blow-out preventor, a piece of equipment that is bolted to the deck. Anderson was below the drilling deck supervising the removal of the bolts. A crew member on deck began removing the top section of the blow-out preventer. As the lifting began, a dresser sleeve weighing approximately 25 pounds fell from the blow-out preventor, striking Anderson in the face. Anderson suffered a midfacial fracture and multiple other facial fractures, requiring surgical repair. His medical expenses, which totaled approximately $105,000, were paid by his employer. An offshore installation manager earning approximately $68,000 annually, Anderson has been unable to return to work since the incident.

Anderson sued the company that operated the drilling rig, alleging liability for its workers' negligence in lifting the blow-out preventor with men working below deck, and for failing to warn workers that the lift was taking place.

In a bench trial, the judge awarded plaintiff approximately $1.24 million, plus costs and postjudgment interest.

Plaintiff's experts included Edward Robert, marine safety, New Orleans, La.; Nathaniel Fentress, rehabilitation counseling, Jackson, Miss.; Howard T. Katz, physical medicine and rehabilitation, New Orleans, La.; and G. Richard Thompson, economics, Clemson, S.C.

Defendant's experts included Calvin Barnhill, marine/rig safety, Lafayette, La.; John Thompson, psychiatry, New Orleans, La.; Gregory Ferriss, sleep disorders, New Orleans, La.; F. William Black, neuropsychology, New Orleans, La.; and Sam Cox, vocational rehabilitation, Brandon, Miss.

Plaintiff's Counsel

*William L. Denton, Biloxi, Miss.

*Pamela Creel Jenner, Biloxi, Miss.