Cal Dive International, a defendant in a Jones Act suit, recently made several discovery requests to plaintiff Louis Palanek.
Palanek, who hurt his back while pulling tangled hoses out of the water, filed suit against his employer, Cal Dive, on Jan. 17 in Jefferson County District Court, alleging that he should have been protected from taking unnecessary risks.
Court records show that on March 13 Cal Dive filed a certificate of discovery, stating that the plaintiff's counsel had been served with its requests for disclosure, interrogatories, request for admissions and request for production.
The suit states that on Oct. 16 Palanek was serving aboard the Cal Dive II off the coast of Texas. He was instructed to pull tangled hoses out of the water when he injured his back.
Palanek alleges Cal Dive negligently failed to supervise and train its employees, provide a safe work environment and protect crewmembers from unnecessary risks.
He is suing for his alleged past and future medical expenses, mental anguish, pain, impairment, disfigurement and lost wages, plus all court costs.
Houston attorney Kurt Arnold of Arnold & Itkin represents him.
Cal Dive is represented by Houston attorney Ronald White of the White Mackillop & Gallant law firm.
Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court, is assigned to the case.
Case No. D191-660
Cal Dive International submits discovery requests to injured seaman
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