Opinion ID: 404144
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: 2 Boudreaux worked for McDermott as a pipeline welder for approximately nine years prior to his death in 1976. Although Boudreaux occasionally worked on one of McDermott's onshore operations during a lull in offshore activity, his principal employment during those ten years was as a pipe welder on several of McDermott's offshore pipelaying barges. As their job title suggests, pipeline welders construct the pipelines that connect offshore wells with onshore distribution facilities. They are essential to the mission of the specially-designed pipelaying barges. 3 Boudreaux spent part of the summer of 1975, approximately one year before his death, working onshore constructing an aerial crossing (an elevated pipeline) at Whiskey Bay, Louisiana. After working offshore during the fall, he took an optional winter layoff from December 12, 1975 until March 23, 1976. He then reported to work at Bayou Boeuf, Louisiana, and assisted in repairs on board McDermott's Lay Barge 23. The barge, which had suffered ordinary wear and tear during recent operations in the North Sea, was moored afloat in a slip at McDermott's yard. By June, the repairs were nearing completion and Boudreaux was scheduled to begin work on another barge offshore. Since he had not welded any pipe offshore during the first six months of 1976, however, Boudreaux had to qualify in a welding test on June 16. Two days after passing the test, he collapsed and died of a heart attack while completing his job aboard the moored barge. 4 Boudreaux' widow filed a claim for benefits under the Longshoremen's Act on March 2, 1977. McDermott contested the claim, arguing that Boudreaux had been a member of the crew of McDermott's pipelaying barge fleet and, consequently, did not qualify as an employee under the Longshoremen's Act. 2 McDermott also contended that Boudreaux had died from cardiac arrythmia induced by arteriosclerosis rather than from any work-related condition. The ALJ heard the case on May 10, 1979. On August 1, the ALJ awarded the benefits to Mrs. Boudreaux, holding that Boudreaux had been an employee covered by the Longshoremen's Act and that his job had at least contributed to his heart failure. McDermott filed a timely appeal with the Benefits Review Board, but the Board upheld the ALJ on both issues. 3 Pursuant to section 21(c) of the Longshoremen's Act, 33 U.S.C. § 921(c), McDermott has appealed the Board's decision to this court. 5