ST. LOUIS — A seaman is suing a coal loading transfer facility and his employer for allegedly not providing a safe working environment.
Keith Bowman filed a complaint on Dec. 19 in the St. Louis Circuit Court against Sitran LLC and TPG Mt. Vernon Marine LLC for allege violation of the Jones Act and the general maritime law of the United States.
According to the complaint, Bowman alleges that on Feb. 29, 2016 he was employed by TPG and was a member of the crew of MV David E. when he was injured while loading coal at a coal transfer facility owned by Sitran. Bowman allegedly fell forward and sustained severe injuries.
The plaintiff holds Sitran and TPG responsible because they allegedly failed to properly supervise their crew and employees, and failed to use reasonable care to promulgate and enforce adequate policies and procedures to ensure the vessel and barges were reasonably safe during coal loading operations.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury; and seeks judgment in an amount in excess of $25,000 together with legal interest, costs, punitive damages, benefits to which he is entitled by law, and penalties and additional damages if applicable. He is represented by Thomas E. Schwartz and Mark J. Gaertner of Holloran Schwartz & Gaertner LLP in St. Louis.
St. Louis Circuit Court case number 1722-CC11983