BENTON – A Missouri man is suing over injuries he allegedly experienced while working aboard a vessel in the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers.
David Shively filed the suit Feb. 10 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois against Knight Towing LLC, citing violation of the Jones Act, counts of unseaworthiness as it relates to the vessel, maintenance and cure.
On July 9, 2015, the plaintiff was employed by the defendant as a deck hand and member of the crew of a boat that was owned, operated and controlled by the defendant and was a river-going vessel, the suit states. While performing his job duties, the plaintiff was allegedly injured when he was thrown from the top deck of the vessel, down the steps and into the river.
The plaintiff claims he suffered injury to his neck, back, spine, head, arms, legs and left hand; has lost wages and earning capacity; has experienced large medical bills; and has been permanently disfigured.
The plaintiff seeks a judgment of $2 million against the defendant, court costs, prejudgment interest, and other costs the court deems just and proper. He is represented by Eric D. Holland and Phillip E. Proud of the Holland Law Firm LLC in St. Louis and by William Holland of Goldblatt Singer PC in St. Louis.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois case number 3:16-cv-154