Marine companies sued after cable snaps, mangling worker’s knee

A Texas man whose left knee was badly injured while positioning a jackup rig has filed a lawsuit for damages.

Named in the suit are Belle Pass Towing Corp., South Bayou Marine, Hercules Offshore and Hercules Assets.

Ashley McNeal suffered torn ligaments and multiple surgeries after a cable whipped into his leg on December 10, 2007 at Sabine Yard in Jefferson County, Texas. McNeal was involved in positioning the rig for inspection at the dock. According to the suit, while McNeal attempted to unhook a cable, he tried to direct the drivers of the two tug boats used in the operation to slack off on a cable. But they allegedly accelerated instead, pulling the cable taut and causing it to whip his knee.

The complaint states that McNeal suffered medical expenses and lost wages along with mental anguish and disfigurement. His wife, Neely, a party to the suit, also suffered lost wages because she had to leave her job to care for her husband full time.

The suit was filed earlier this month in Jefferson County, Texas.

Source: Southeast Texas Record