Daughter of drowning victim seeks $3 million

Tug boat worker Lemarc Meredith was crushed and drowned after falling overboard into the Mississippi River last year, according to a lawsuit filed by his daughter.

Shenita Dunbar sued American Electric Power, owner and operator of the tug boat, on May 5 in federal court in New Orleans.

She claims the vessel Meredith was working on impacted a barge without any warning on Nov. 29, 2009. After he fell overboard, Meredith was crushed by two barges and drowned, the suit claims.

Dunbar states the vessel needed guardrails and safety mechanisms to protect Meredith from falling overboard. Further, she states the vessel was unseaworthy because it did not have equipment available to rescue Meredith.

Dunbar alleges American Electric Power was negligent failing to provide a safe place to work and failing to provide an adequately trained crew who could have avoided Meredith's injuries.

She is asking for an award of $3 million for conscious pain and suffering of Lamarc Meredith, lost wages, loss of support, loss of love and affection, mental anguish, emotional stress and strain and interest on the damage award.

New Orleans attorney Darleen M. Jacobs is representing the plaintiff. A jury trial is demanded.

U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:10cv01407