Category Archives: Firm News

The Supreme Court last Tuesday declined petition for certiorari involving three appeals filed by military contractor Kellogg, Brown, and Root (“KBR”). KBR claimed the three lawsuits against them on behalf of injured servicemen should be thrown out because KBR was operating as an extension of the U.S. military in Iraq and Afghanistan at the time. The High Court denied review and left intact a group of federal appeals court rulings allowing the lawsuits against KBR – including the Burn Pit multi district litigation – to go forward.

The First Court of Appeals of Texas this week issued an opinion (http://www.search.txcourts.gov/SearchMedia.aspx?MediaVersionID=2bb3591e-accb-4299-bce1-7766ff273147&coa=coa01&DT=Opinion&MediaID=240869e8-71b1-4845-903f-339f405dca80) affirming a jury verdict for $8.5 million for Willie “David” Williams, a mechanic injured onboard Diamond Offshore’s drilling rig OCEAN LEXINGTON working offshore Egypt in 2008. Mr. Williams’s lawsuit included claims under the Jones Act, doctrine of unseaworthiness, and general maritime law. David Williams sustained disabling injuries to his spine when forced to make rushed emergency repairs to the rig’s drilling “elevators”. Diamond Offshore complained that the jury’s award, which included $3.4 million for future pain and suffering associated with David’s injuries and their ongoing impacts for the rest of his life, was excessive, although this amount is still less than the salary for a single year for Diamond Offshore’s CEO (http://insiders.morningstar.com/trading/executive-compensation.action?t=DO).

Doyle Dennis Avery LLP Trial Lawyers has filed suit against Smith International, Inc. d/b/a Schlumberger (“Schlumberger”) for discriminatory conduct and retaliatory firing of Plaintiff. The improper actions on the part of the defendant stem from our client reporting an on the job injury claim. The actions alleged against the defendant are in direct violation of the Texas Labor Code.

Doyle Dennis Avery LLP Trial Lawyers has filed suit against Candy Fleet, LLC (Candy Fleet) for negligence of a Jones’ Act employer and the negligence and unseaworthiness of two of the fleet’s vessels. Plaintiff experienced injuries while working aboard ships operated by Candy Fleet and seeks recompense.

Doyle Dennis Avery LLP Trial Lawyers has filed suit against Kirby Offshore Marine Operating, LLC (“Kirby”) alleging negligence, unseaworthiness, and wrongful termination. The case is a result of an the job injury sustained by Plaintiff that occurred on August 20th, 2014.

Our client was employed as a first mate on a Kirby run barge vessel operating in Alaska (the Arctic Circle). In the course of his duty, Plaintiff was required to place a large Yokohama Type Barge Fender over the side of the vessel using a crane.