Oil rig worker sues over semen-laced food

Kirk Sharrock from Oklahoma is suing Hercules Offshore Inc. and Coastal Catering LLC.

Kirk Sharrock from Oklahoma is suing Hercules Offshore Inc. and Coastal Catering LLC. Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Oil rig worker sues over semen-laced food 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

An offshore oil rig worker is suing his Houston-based employer, claiming he ate food that a co-worker had ejaculated in.

The Oklahoma man said the tainted food caused serious injuries to his stomach and psyche.

According to court documents, Kirk Sharrock was working on Hercules 120 in the Gulf of Mexico when the November 2013 incident occurred.

Sharrock is suing both the rig owner, Hercules Offshore Inc., and the caterers, Coastal Catering LLC. He is seeking $1 million in damages.

Court documents do not reveal how the food was allegedly tampered with or how Sharrock discovered the prank, but lists a host of alleged failings on the part of Hercules and Coastal Catering.

Hercules Offshore Inc. and Coastal Catering did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Sharrock's lawyers allege that crew were not properly supervised or trained, safety equipment and medical treatment was not adequate, the vessel was not maintained and that the company is vicariously liable for its employees' actions.

Sharrock claims he suffered severe pain, physical impairment, mental anguish and distress as a result of eating the semen-laced food.

Sharrock is also claiming medical expenses in connection with those injuries, saying that Hercules and Coastal Catering were aware of the extreme risks that caused his injuries but did nothing to rectify them.