Chevron Subsidiary Liable in Contractor Worker Death: Fifth Cir.

Chevron Pipe Line Co. isn’t protected from liability for the death of a worker employed by a contractor in Louisiana waters, a federal appeals court said, upholding a $2 million jury award to the worker’s widow.

James Mays, an employee of Chevron contractor Furmanite America, was killed in a September 2014 explosion at an offshore platform owned by Chevron. Mays’ widow Peggy Mays sued Chevron for wrongful death, but the company claimed immunity under the Louisiana workers’ compensation law. The parties agreed that state immunity wouldn’t protect Chevron if the federal Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, which covers injuries ...