NEW ORLEANS — A deckhand is suing a tow vessel owner, alleging negligence caused him to suffer severe injuries.
Bradley Merritt filed a lawsuit June 28 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Southern Towing Company, alleging negligence in failing to provide a seaworthy towing vessel.
According to the complaint, on Jan. 10, 2015, Merritt was injured when a mate ordered him to jump from one barge to another, causing the plaintiff to fall on ice and sustain severe injuries to his body. The plaintiff alleges Southern Towing failed to provide a safe place to work or properly train its employees.
Merritt seeks a trial by jury, compensatory damages, all taxable costs and interest, and any additional relief to which he is entitled. He is represented by attorneys Paul M. Sterbcow and Beth Abramson of Lewis, Kullman, Sterbcow & Abramson in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Case number 2:16-cv-11939