Widow alleges cargo ship's negligence caused husband's drowning

Widow alleges cargo ship's negligence caused husband's drowning
Carrie Bradon | Jul 24, 2019 https://setexasrecord.com/stories/512781289-widow-alleges-cargo-ship-s-n...

GALVESTON — A Harris County woman is suing a cargo vessel company, alleging the defendants' negligence caused her husband to be knocked overboard and drown.

Jana Reed, individually and as representative of the estate of Christopher Reed and on behalf of A. R. (a minor) Logan Reed and Chase Reed, filed a complaint July 22 in the Galveston Division of the Southern District of Texas against Maersk Line Ltd. and USA Maersk Line Limited, alleging negligence and wrongful death.

According to the complaint, on June 7, the Reeds were using their 20-foot boat for a fishing trip to Galveston Bay. As they were returning through the Houston Ship Channel, the suit alleges, the wake from the 958-foot M/V Maersk Idaho cargo ship slammed into the Reeds' boat and knocked Christopher Reed overboard into the water. He tried to signal for help but a second wake from the ship knocked him underwater and he drowned, much to the horror of his wife who was watching from their boat. His body was not recovered until two days later, the lawsuit states.

His death, the suit alleges, has resulted in shock and mental anguish for Jana Reed and her children.

The Reeds seek damages, interest, court costs, judgment against the defendants and all proper and just relief. They are represented by attorneys Paxton N. Crew of The Crew Law Firm P.C. in League City, and by John W. Stevenson Jr., of Stevenson Murray in Houston.

Galveston Division of the Southern District of Texas case number 3:19-CV-00238