St. Louis Barge Accident Injury Attorneys

Barge Accident Injuries

Barges are flat-bottomed boats capable of transporting 60 times more than a semi-trailer. Because of the sheer mass of barges, the heavy equipment used on them, and the types of cargo they carry, workers are in constant danger of suffering severe barge accident injuries. There are many different types of injuries suffered in barge accidents and many of them result in costly medical bills and extended time away from work.

Barge Head Injuries

There are a number of ways that a barge worker may suffer a head injury while working on a barge. Workers who slip and fall in such wet conditions may sustain a head injury if they strike their head against a hard surface during the fall. Other workers may be struck by cargo or falling debris. Even when workers are provided adequate safety devices such as hard hats, there is the potential for a traumatic brain injury or even a fatal head injury to occur.

Barge Spinal Cord Injuries

The most severe back injuries suffered in barge accidents may result in spinal cord damage. This type of injury may result from a sudden twisting of the back, fractured vertebrae, or a crushing accident. It is possible for a spinal cord injury to occur in a boat collision, a cargo incident, a slip-and-fall accident, or a crane mishap. Spinal injuries can result in paralysis, quadriplegia, paraplegia, immobility, or chronic pain.

Barge Broken Bone Injuries

Broken bones are common injuries suffered in barge accidents because of the heavy cargo that barges transport. Hands and arms are often crushed in falling debris accidents and limbs can get caught in the heavy machines used on the barge. If a worker slips at port or on the barge there is the potential for a fractured skull, wrist, ankle, or hip.

Fatal Barge Accidents

Tragically, some barge accidents result in fatal injuries. The American Waterways Operators gathered the following statistics:

  • Nine towing vessel workers were killed in the year 2004.
  • Nine barge workers were killed in the year 2003.
  • 2003 and 2004 represent a two-year low and a significant decrease from the peak number of 28 fatalities suffered by towing vessel crew workers in the years 1997 and 1992.

The most common causes of fatal barge accidents include operator negligence, tug boat errors, miscommunication between workers, defective machines, dangerous work conditions, and a lack of training.

Rights of Injured Victims

Towing vessel workers may seek financial compensation for their losses by filing a claim against their employer. Negligent barge employers may be held liable for losses including medical expenses and a portion of lost wages. The skilled St. Louis barge accident attorneys at Page Law know how to get injured workers, or families of workers killed on the job, the compensation they need and rightfully deserve. It is common for employers and insurance companies to deny valid claims. We know how to fight back in order to ensure that workers and their families receive fair and full compensation. Call our offices today to discuss your legal rights and options.