Lawsuits were filed in a pair of incidents caused by the wakes of larger vessels.
Early last month, Donald Smith filed a case against Crosby & Son Towing for negligence from a February 10, 2010 incident on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in which the excessive wake of defendant's 72-foot model boat M/V Webb Crosby allegedly swamped his 14-foot fishing boat, causing him serious injuries, reported Bohrer Law.com. The defendant is accused of failure to obey speed limits and using an inexperienced crew.
Smith asks for more the $1 million in damages for permanent disability and physical and mental suffering.
In the other case, a jury trial has been requested by a Louisiana man who claims his shrimp boat sank after being swamped in the wake of a larger boat, reports the Louisiana Record.
Christopher Bernard alleges that on May 21 the M/V Claire Candies traveled between 7.3 and 8.3 knots which caused a substantial wake that pushed under his boat, the 28-foot F/V LA 9248 BU, which was tied up in its slip at Four Point Landing in the Houma Navigational Canal.
The Coast Guard had earlier mandated a no wake zone in the canal due to the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers being at or near record flood stage.
The defendant, Otto Candies and M/V Claire Candies, stands accused of negligence for violating the no wake zone and failure to control its wake.
The plaintiff seeks compensation for loss of revenue, property damage, the loss of catch, salvage costs and punitive damages.
The lawsuit was filed Sept. 8 in New Orleans federal court.
Our maritime lawyers realize that maritime work can be dangerous when companies cut corners on safety. That's why we've dedicated our time to putting out free information for workers.
To learn more about our law firm and what we can do for you, please visit the following websites:
