Devon Energy v. Global Santa Fe Drilling Company et al.: Mr. LaGarde represented Devon Energy in a damage lawsuit against the owner of an offshore jackup rig that broke loose during Hurricane Rita. The broken rig destroyed a production platform, causing loss of production from an entire offshore block. A favorable, confidential settlement was reached before trial.
Harry O. v. R&B Falcon Drilling: Mr. LaGarde represented a crew member of an offshore vessel. He suffered serious injuries to both heels when he fell through a hatch cover that had been left open on the deck of the vessel. A favorable, confidential pre-trial settlement was reached.
Ian M. v. Rowan Drilling: Mr. LaGarde represented a citizen of Scotland who was working as a member of the crew of a jackup rig. The employee was injured when he slipped on a slick, muddy surface near a shale shaker. Mr. LaGarde was prepared to show at trial that the rig was unseaworthy because of the slippery condition of its walkway. A favorable, confidential pre-trial settlement was reached.
William V. v. General Stevedores: Mr. and Mrs. LaGarde represented a day laborer who was assigned to work on a barge offloading oilfield pipe. The crane operator swung a bundle of pipe into their client, crushing his pelvis and dislocating his hip. The LaGardes were prepared to prove at trial that the stevedoring company failed to provide their client with any training and that dangerous procedures were being used in the offloading operation. A favorable, confidential pre-trial settlement was reached.
Shane B. v. Diamond Offshore Services: Mr. LaGarde represented a member of the crew of an offshore jackup drilling rig who suffered a herniated disc at L5-S1 while cleaning the rig’s mud pit. Mr. LaGarde introduced evidence at trial showing that his client had been sent into the mud pit without safety goggles or a face shield, that his supervisor was splashing drilling mud and chemicals into his client’s eyes and that, just before he fell, the supervisor hit his feet with the high pressure spray from a fire hose, causing him to stumble backwards and fall. The jury returned with a verdict of $801,648 in damages.
Clarence R. v. Diamond Offshore Services: Mr. LaGarde represented a member of the crew of an offshore jackup drilling rig who was severely injured when he was assigned to backload drill pipe onto the deck of a supply boat in the Gulf of Mexico. Mr. LaGarde was prepared to show at trial that his client’s supervisor knew that the rough seas and the pitching deck of the supply boat made the offloading procedure dangerous at the time, but insisted on going forward despite the current risk to his workers. A favorable, confidential settlement was reached before trial.
In the Matter of CDM Resource Management, LLC, as Owner of the M/V Miss Laurie: Mr. LaGarde represented the widow and estate of a shrimper in Houma, Louisiana who was killed when his shrimp boat was hit by an offshore crew boat in the industrial canal. Mr. LaGarde was prepared to show that the boat’s captain had been looking back at another boat and did not keep a sufficient lookout to spot the shrimper before the collision. A favorable, confidential pre-trial settlement was reached.
In Re Piper Alpha Platform Disaster: Mr. LaGarde represented the family of the only American worker killed on the Piper Alpha oil production platform that exploded in the North Sea. Mr. LaGarde participated in the British Government’s Board of Inquiry that took place in Aberdeen, Scotland. Mr. LaGarde was prepared to prove at trial that the explosion was caused by the negligent failure to have a lock-out/tag-out procedure in place for the repair of hydrocarbon pipes on the platform. A favorable, confidential settlement was reached before trial.
