Brian S. Partridge, a deckhand who worked aboard the Grafton-based M/V John W. Gannon ferry, filed suit against the Grafton Ferry Boat Company alleging he sustained head injuries May 29 while carrying out duties on the Illinois River.
The Alton resident, represented by the Lakin Law Firm, is seeking more than $100,000.
According to the complaint filed Dec. 9 in Madison County Circuit Court, Partridge claims the ferry was not a safe place to work and he was not adequately supervised.
"(Grafton Ferry) failed to warn Partridge of the dangers in the area he was assigned to work when defendant knew, or in the exercise of ordinary care, should have known that dangers existed," Partridge claims.
The suit seeks to recover damages for lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of earning capacity and medical expenses. Partridge also claims:
A claim also is being made for an amount not less than $40 per day and all reasonable medical expenses and legal interest, since Grafton Ferry has refused to meet its duty under General Maritime Law, according to the suit.
The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Nicholas Byron.
04 L 1350