NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The family of a worker at Colonna’s Shipyard who died from catastrophic injuries has filed a $45 million lawsuit.

Kenny Oakey was a maintenance mechanic working on a barge at the shipyard Sept. 30, 2023. His shift had barely started when he suffered massive brain damage, 11 broken ribs, two fractures on his spine, a crushed collarbone and bruises on his neck, back and chest.

Oakey’s brother, Roy, told WAVY that Colonna’s had told him that Kenny Oakey’s massive injuries resulted from a fall from a ladder.

Kenny Oakey died at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital two weeks later.

The lawsuit alleges Colonna’s was negligent in maintaining a safe workplace — and Colonna’s knew of an unsafe condition on the barge that posed unreasonable risk to Oakey.

The lawsuit also mentions what 10 On Your Side reported 18 months ago — a gap in Colonna’s surveillance video at the critical time when Kenny Oakey was injured.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated Oakey’s death and cited Colonna’s cited five violations classified as serious, including a dangerous faulty ladder, failure to secure the placement of the ladder, failure to provide adequate guardrails in an elevated workspace, failure to provide flotation devices for workers near water and improper hazard assessment and documentation.

OSHA fined Colonna’s a total of $55,000.

Roy Oakey told WAVY Friday afternoon he wanted justice for Kenny Oakey, and for the truth to come out.

Colonna’s did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the lawsuit.

See the text of the lawsuit below: