River seaman sues barge company over work-related back injuries

A Mississippi River seaman who was injured while working on a barge wants his employer to pay damages.

Jason W. Stewart filed suit against Lewis and Clark Marine on March 24 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Stewart says he was working for Lewis and Clark on March 11 when his lower back was seriously injured after he fell.

In addition to his injuries, and because of his fall, Stewart lost wages, experienced pain and suffering, incurred medical costs and became disabled, according to the complaint. He also suffered a loss of enjoyment of life.

Lewis and Clark was at fault because it failed to provide a safe place to work, failed to provide Stewart with adequate assistance, failed to inspect the vessels to make sure they were not defective, failed to provide Stewart with adequate equipment and operated the vessel to create an unreasonable risk of harm, according to the complaint.

It also negligently required Stewart to perform his tasks in an unsafe manner, failed to adequately train the members of the crew of the vessel and failed to provide Stewart with adequate safety equipment, the suit states.

In the two-count suit, Stewart is seeking damages in excess of $100,000, plus costs.

Terry M. Brown of Brown and Associates in Belleville and Timothy Campbell of Campbell and McGrady in Godfrey will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-303.