Seaman files suit after hand crushed in Mississippi River accident

Moran Towing Corp. is being sued by a deckhand whose hand was crushed between the vessel and the dock on the Mississippi River.

The accident occurred on April 3, 2011 aboard the harbor tug M/V Commander where plaintiff Derek B. Durham was working as an employee of Moran Towing.

Moran is accused of negligence for failure to provide Durham a safe workplace, failure to properly operate the vessel, failure to provide sufficient and proper manpower and tools, failure to give proper training to he and his crew members, and failure to provide proper instructions and warnings about deck conditions.

Durham seeks compensation for physical pain and mental anguish, medical expenses and loss of earning capacity.

The case was filed Dec. 5 in New Orleans federal court.

Source: Louisiana Record