A Transocean employee injured onboard the Deepwater Horizon semisubmersible drilling rig asked U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier to allow him to go forward with a separate trial. 44-year-old Buddy Trahan was onboard the vessel on April 20, 2010 when multiple explosions occurred while the rig was drilling BP's Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico. The explosions killed 11 workers and severely injured dozens more. A nonjury trial to determine fault for the subsequent oil spill is set to begin in New Orleans on March 5th. Judge Barbier has refused to consider personal injury and wrongful death claims associated with the Deepwater Horizon accident. Instead, he stated he will address such claims after a determination of fault is made against BP, Transocean, and other companies who had ownership in or performed work on the well. Trahan and the relatives of about a dozen other Transocean employees who have not settled their claims against BP have previously requested their personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits be allowed to move forward. Judge Barbier has failed to rule on their requests. Trahan was arguably the most severely injured Deepwater Horizon accident survivor. He reportedly almost bled to death after being thrown more than 30 feet through a wall during the initial explosion. Both of his legs were broken, his knee was shattered, and his neck was pierced by flying metal. His clothes were also allegedly burned off of him. Since the disaster, Trahan has undergone nine surgeries and purportedly suffers from post-traumatic stress. His eardrums also burst during the rig explosions. An accidental personal injury can occur in any number of settings. In Louisiana, a person hurt as a result of someone else's negligence can normally recover for mental suffering, physical suffering and pain, medical costs, disability, loss of enjoyment of life, and lost wages or lost earning capacity. The compensation a personal injury victim may receive depends heavily on the extent of his or her injuries, as well as the facts of each individual case. An experienced personal injury lawyer can assist you with evaluating your claim and negotiating a fair settlement. If you or a loved one was severely hurt through no fault of your own, contact J. Price McNamara. He is knowledgeable. Contact J. Price McNamara ERISA Insurance Claim Attorney who assists clients with maritime law, wrongful death, and personal injury cases throughout the State of Louisiana. With offices conveniently located in both Metairie and Baton Rouge, J. Price McNamara is nearby to discuss your case. For a free initial consultation, contact J. Price McNamara ERISA Insurance Claim Attorney through our website or call us today at (866) 248-0580.
J. Price McNamara
Attorney
Losing my own brother, then my father and sister after long, disabling illnesses just a few months apart drove a career change for me. Before that experience, I never truly understood the place you’re in. I never understood the dramatic impact that receiving (or not receiving) the disability and life insurance benefits you paid for and counted on can have on your life especially when you need to focus on family and healing. What I experienced with my own family now drives the way I view my clients and my work, and I will never forget it!
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