Barge collision throws refrigerator onto seaman

A barge worker is suing his employer after suffering injuries from a refrigerator falling on him.

Steven Edward Cook worked aboard the M/V Marie M. Morgan. The lawsuit he filed against Bayou Tugs states that the impact from another barge hitting his barge knocked the refrigerator against him, pinning him against a countertop and injuring his right knee.

Cook claims that the other barge was being directed by another worker who was under the influence of an illegal drug.

The defendant faces the following accusations: failure to provide a safe work place, not drug testing all employees, working the crew when they were fatigued, improper crew training and supervision, inadequately restraining the refrigerator and failure to warn the crew of an imminent collision.

Cook asks for medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, maintenance and cure, disfigurement, court costs and attorney’s fees.

Source: The Louisiana Record