Missouri St. Louis Barge Hazard Lawyers

Hazardous Conditions - Barge Accidents, Injury, and the Jones Act

Barges, ships, and other floating vessels provide employment and vital transportation for thousands of Americans each year. Unfortunately, these vessels also contain inherent risks. Looking to cut costs, some boating and barge companies cut corners when it comes to training and safety and allow improperly repaired and maintained barges to keep operating at sea. The result? Barge accidents and resulting injuries that can cause lasting or even permanent damage to workers.

The variety of potential barge accidents is mind-boggling. Dirty or slippery bull rails can cause falls that lead to knee, back, or foot injuries. Disorganized or cluttered decks can lead to slips, trips, and falls. Poorly maintained equipment, such as access ladders, hydraulic hoses, mooring lines, non-skid surfaces, anchors, and winches, can break or fail at inopportune moments, causing falls, contusions, even head, neck, and back injury. And barges can crash into docks, other boats, and even capsize due to operator error.

Unfortunately, many of these injuries are preventable and are directly responsible to the negligence of the employer. The good news is that injured seamen who have sustained injuries through a barge accident or other maritime accident have rights under the federal Merchant Marine Act (commonly known as the "Jones Act"), a 1920 law passed by congress that gives seamen the right to collect damages from negligent employers.

If you've been injured in a barge accident and your injury was caused by your employer's action or failure to act, you could be eligible for compensation for medical expenses, future costs of medical care, time off of work, vocational rehabilitation, and even pain and suffering. If you are considering filing a Jones Act lawsuit in response to a barge accident or other maritime occurrence, it's important to find the right attorney to help you through the often-complicated process of filing a federal Jones Act claim.

The Missouri Jones Act lawyers of Page Cagle are experienced, aggressive, and have what it takes to successfully get you the compensation you deserve for your barge accident injury. Don't go it alone - turn to the experts at Page Cagle. Contact us today for a free, confidential phone consultation to see if your case will float.

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1232 Washington Avenue,
Suite 220
St. Louis, Missouri 63103
P: (314) 322-8515
Toll Free: (866) 620-5757
john@pagecagle.com