NEW ORLEANS — A Tennessee vessel operator is suing an Illinois towing business, alleging the defendant's negligence cause more than $600,000 in damages.
Ingram Barge Company of Nashville filed a lawsuit July 2 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against American River Transportation Company (ARTCO) LLC of Decatur, Illinois, alleging violation of Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, negligence and failure to warn.
According to the complaint, on July 2, 2015, suddenly, and without warning, ARTCO's vessel American Heritage headed across a channel of the Mississippi River near Vacherie, Louisiana, and collided with the plaintiff's towboat Sehrt. As a result of the collision, Ingram Barge suffered damages estimated to exceed $660,000, including the sinking of one of its barges.
The plaintiff alleges ARTCO's pilot or master was under the influence of one or more dangerous drugs, failed to respond to repeated attempts to contact it for passing arrangements and collision avoidance and failed to maintain proper control of the vessel.
Ingram Barge seeks a trial by jury, actual damages expected to exceed $660,000, pre- and post-judgment interest, all legal costs and all other equitable relief to which it is entitled. It is represented by attorneys Brett D. Wise and Raymond T. Waid of Liskow & Lewis in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Case number 2:16-cv-12288