Case at a glance
- Result: Confidential Settlement
- Practice: Maritime Injury Law
- Attorney: Brian Beckcom
An urgent call on the rig
Donnie had spent more than 20 years in the drilling industry. Before joining Spartan Offshore, he worked on land-based rigs. At Spartan, he advanced from floor hand to assistant driller within a year.
Aboard the Spartan 208, Donnie stood on the platform while a driller and other crewmembers worked with slips. When the men struggled to hold them, the driller called for Donnie’s help. Donnie lunged to assist and felt his back give out.
He told the driller, who directed him to lie down and see whether the pain improved. It did not. After an incident report, a boat carried Donnie ashore.
Pain continued after the first examination
A claims representative met Donnie at the dock and drove him to a company doctor. The doctor told him that the x-ray showed no problem. Donnie returned home to rest and see his family doctor, but the back pain continued.
Spartan paid maintenance and cure during this period, but Donnie and his wife worried about continued support and medical care. They contacted Brian, who accepted the case and filed a Jones Act lawsuit against Spartan Offshore in Houston.
Treatment for two herniated discs
Brian helped Donnie obtain further medical care. The evaluation identified two herniated lumbar discs. In January 2014, Donnie underwent a two-level microdiscectomy.
Brian ultimately obtained the employer’s payment for two surgeries and the follow-up treatment. The medical care addressed an injury that continued to trouble Donnie after the initial company examination.
A settlement at mediation
The parties attended mediation in May 2014. Brian negotiated a confidential settlement resolving Donnie’s case against Spartan Offshore.
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Case questions
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