EAST ST. LOUIS — A former barge worker who slipped on an icy deck and fell into the Mississippi River claims he did not receive maintenance and cure for his injuries.
Herbert Hardimon filed a complaint March 16 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois against SCF Lewis and Clark Fleeting LLC, SCF Fleeting LLC, SCF Lewis and Clark Terminals, SCF Services LLC, SCF Riverport LLC, SCF Shipyards LLC and Seacor, alleging violation of the Jones Act and General Maritime Law of the United States.
Hardimon was employed by the defendants and was assigned to work on a crane barge afloat on the Mississippi River as part of the flat deck crane crew, according to his complaint. He claims he was working on Feb. 13, 2020, while the vessel was at or near Sauget. He alleges the weather was inclement with the temperature dropping to about 16 degrees by 11 a.m. Hardimon claims that while stepping from the flat deck crane barge onto the barge that needed to be cleaned, he slipped on the icy deck and fell into the Mississippi River. He further alleges he was dragged underneath the barge in the snowstorm for 12 minutes before he was rescued.
Hardimon claims SCF breached its duties and warranty of seaworthiness and has failed to provide him with maintenance and cure.
Hardimon seeks monetary and all other just relief. He is represented by Roy Dripps, Charles Armbruster and Michael Blotevogel of Armbruster, Dripps, Winterscheidt & Blotevogel LLC in Maryville.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois case number 3:21-CV-0298