Family of Houma crewman presumed dead sues for $35 million in Seacor Power capsizing
The family of a Houma crewman presumed dead after an oilfield boat capsized in a storm April 13 has joined others suing the Seacor Power s owner and other companies over the incident.
Family members of 46-year-old Christopher Cooper Rozands filed the lawsuit Thursday in U.S. District Court in New Orleans seeking $35 million in punitive and compensatory damages.
A day earlier, the widow of the boat s captain, 63-year-old David Ledet of Thibodaux, filed a similar lawsuit seeking unspecified damages.
In both cases, the families allege Seacor Marine, Seacor Liftboats or Talos Energy directed the boat to leave Port Fourchon and head into the Gulf of Mexico despite severe weather warnings. Talos owns the oil platform off Plaquemines Parish where the boat was headed when it capsized in a storm that at times packed hurricane-force winds.
Lawsuit claims Seacor ordered captain to sail before oilfield boat capsized; company disputes claim
Devin Bartolotta
A lawsuit filed Wednesday claims Seacor ordered the captain of its oilfield liftboat to sail into a storm that caused it to capsize, killing at least six of the 19 people aboard.
A company official had previously disputed the claim, saying the final decision on whether the 234-foot Seacor Power would sail rested solely with captain David Ledet of Thibodaux.
Yvette Ledet filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court, seeking unspecified damages from Seacor Marine, Seacor Liftboats and Talos Energy. The latter company owns the oil platform off Plaquemines Parish where the Seacor Power was headed April 13 when it capsized in a storm packing hurricane-force winds.
Seacor Power captain s widow says crew was ordered to sail into storm despite dangerous conditions; third suit since vessel capsized wbrz.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wbrz.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.