BELLEVILLE — A fleet mechanic is suing a harbor tugboat operator, alleging he was injured when he fell due to a poorly lit staircase.
William R. Branch filed a complaint May 14 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against American River Transportation Company Inc., (ARTCO) alleging negligence and violation of general maritime law.
According to the complaint, Branch was employed by ARTCO as a fleet mechanic May 16, 2016, on the harbor tug Bill Peeler on the upper Mississippi River. The plaintiff alleges he feel down a staircase that was poorly lit, resulting in injuries to his upper and lower back and his neck and right shoulder, plus lost wages and benefits and hospital expenses.
Branch seeks fair and reasonable relief, costs of suit, attorney fees, interest and all other just relief. He is represented by attorneys Roy C. Dripps, Charles W. Armbruster and Michael T. Blotevogel of Armbruster, Dripps, Winterscheidt & Blotevogel LLC in Maryville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 19-L-365