Barge Strikes Mississippi River Railroad Bridge

A barge carrying more than 80,000 gallons of oil hit a railroad bridge Sunday near Vicksburg, spilling oil into the Mississippi River. A second barge was also damaged following the accident. No injuries were reported, and authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.

By its very nature, maritime work is one of the most dangerous industries in America. Statistically speaking, almost all maritime workers will suffer a work-related injury or illness at some point in their careers. In fact, in the United States alone, about 5,000 maritime accidents occur each year.

Federal maritime law recognizes these inherent dangers in the maritime industry and seeks to protect workers who suffer injuries or illnesses at sea. The most important statutes under federal maritime law are the Jones Act, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act and the Death on the High Seas Act. Depending on which statute applies to a worker’s case, the statute may create a right to obtain specific benefits or automatic compensation. Under the Jones Act and the Death on the High Seas Act, a seaman or a worker’s family may also file a civil action in court against the worker’s employer or the vessel owner.

Negligence at sea should not be ignored. If you or a loved suffered an injury at sea, you should speak with an experienced maritime lawyer to learn about your legal rights. A maritime lawyer can analyze the facts of your case and create a legal strategy to maximize your recovery. For a free consultation, contact Broussard, David & Moroux at 888-337-2323 (toll-free) or 337-233-2323 (local).