Deck hand's vicious disposition renders barge unseaworthy, suit says

Michael McAdams filed a Jones Act complaint in U.S. District Court March 12, against Steel City Marine Transport claiming he was injured on Sept. 2, 2005, on the M/V Mary Lynn.

According to the complaint, McAdams was a deckhand and member of the crew when the vessel's mate attacked him by shoving him so that he fell backwards over a table and struck a bulkhead causing injuries to his back.

McAdams claims the Mary Lynn was not seaworthy and the crew was not reasonably fit because the mate possessed "an unusually vicious disposition."

He claims his employer breached the provisions of the Jones Act by failing to provide him a safe place to work.

McAdams claims he sustained bulging disks at L 3& 4 and at L 4& 5, lower back pain that radiated to his legs, lost wages, medical expenses, lost benefits, and disability.

Represented by Roy Dripps, McAdams is seeking a judgment in a "fair and reasonable amount" under the circumstances, attorney fees, and taxable costs.

The case has been assigned to District Judge David Herndon.