Michael O. Bent filed a Jones Act complaint against American Commercial Barge Line in Madison County Circuit Court Feb. 2, claiming he was injured on Feb. 6, 2005.
According to the complaint, Bent was a deckhand on the M/V Tom Frazier which was on the Ohio River near Metropolis, Ill. when he was allegedly injured.
Bent claims he was checking down the tow when the line he was working on parted, striking him with great force.
He claims American failed to provide him a safe place to work, failed to provide safe equipment, failed to inspect the barge decks properly and failed to clean or remove soybeans from the ealways and decks of the barge.
According to Bent, he sustained a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament and a tear of the medial meniscus in his right knee.
Represented by Richard Gibson of Wood River, Bent is seeking damages in excess of $100,000, plus costs.
The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Dan Stack.
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M/V Tom Frazier deckhand sues
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