Trial Lawyer News
Personal Injury Law News
April 28, 2009
Pirated Ship Lawsuit
HOUSTON - One of the crew members aboard the merchant ship Maersk Alabama, who survived an attack by Somali pirates, has filed a lawsuit against the company.
Richard Hicks, who lives in southeast Florida, was the chief steward aboard the ship. He was responsible for meals for the rest of the crew.
Royal Palm Beach, Florida resident Richard E. Hicks is filing a lawsuit today against his employer, Waterman Steamship Corporation and Maersk Line, Ltd. for knowingly sending him into pirate-infested waters near Somalia without adequate protection.
Hicks was taken hostage by Somali pirates April 8 while working as chief steward preparing food for crewmembers. When Hicks heard over the loudspeaker that pirates were on board, he and other crewmembers gathered in the engine/steering room for nearly 12 hours.
"The engine room was dark and hot, maybe 130 degrees," Says Hicks. "We were all cramping up with heat stroke symptoms when we were able to take a pirate hostage and tried to negotiate the return of our Captain."
Pirates promised to exchange the ship's Captain for the pirate hostage but instead escaped with the Captain and their pirate crewmember.
Hicks' lawsuit filed the lawsuit Monday morning in Houston, which names the Maersk and Waterman Steamship Company.
Hicks was among the crew members who took refuge in the vessel's engine room until the pirates left the ship.
In the lawsuit, Hicks is seeking damages which claim that the company was made aware of the pirate problem and did nothing to protect the crew.
Hicks said the lawsuit is not about the money, but that he wants fellow sailors to be protected.
"Waterman Steamship Corporation and Maersk Line Limited chose to rely on the United States Military and taxpayers to provide after-the-fact rescue operations," Says Bryant. "This choice caused substantially more cost and risk to human life than what would have been incurred by Defendants had they provided appropriate levels of security in the first place."
Hicks says he still suffers from injuries as a result of the incident and is afraid to return to his work as a chief steward.
Sometimes, personal injury expenses can be overwhelming, and contacting a lawyer becomes necessary.
Dealing with insurance companies can sometimes be difficult. If you are considering an injury case, contact the Houston Personal injury lawyers of the Stephens Law Firm at 713-224-0000
The Stephens Law Firm will represent people anywhere in Texas, or across the United States if the case merits it. The communities we have frequently served over the past 22 years include: Houston, Katy, Beaumont, Liberty, Richmond, Rosenberg, Wharton, Corpus-Christi, Waller, Austin, Brownsville, McAllen, Dallas, and San Antonio. We have extensive experience in the County and District Courts of Harris County, Ft Bend County, Nueces County, Wharton County, Bexar County, Liberty County, and Jefferson County.
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