Advocating for Injured Towboat & Tugboat Crews on the River
Tugboats and towboats move an enormous amount of cargo along the Mississippi River and through the Gulf near New Orleans, pushing and pulling barges through some of the busiest, most congested waterways in the country. The work is physically demanding and carries risks that are different from those faced on larger vessels. Tight quarters, heavy towing lines under extreme tension, and constant maneuvering around other vessel traffic all contribute to a higher rate of serious injury among tugboat crews. Backed by over 85 years of combined experience, Frischhertz & Impastato proudly represents injured tugboat workers throughout the New Orleans area.
Our tugboat accident attorneys have recovered more than $700 million for our injured clients. See if we can help you. Call (504) 276-6962 today for a free consultation.
A parted towline, sometimes called a snapped line, can whip back across a deck with enough force to cause catastrophic injury or death to anyone in its path. Deckhands who connect or adjust rigging between the tug and its tow are at particular risk when that equipment fails. Barge collisions, especially in the crowded stretches of the river near the Port of New Orleans, can throw crew members overboard or crush them against equipment. Falls between the tug and the barge it is servicing, often during dark or foggy conditions, are another frequent source of injury. Then there are burns and injuries from engine room accidents in tight mechanical spaces below deck.
Many tugboat accidents trace back to fatigue. Towboat crew often work extended hitches with limited rest, and fatigue-related mistakes, whether by the injured worker or a coworker, can contribute to accidents that a well-rested crew might have avoided. Inadequate crew size for the job at hand is another recurring factor that we look for when investigating these cases.
Establishing a Claim for an Injured Tugboat Worker
Tugboat deckhands, mates, and engineers generally qualify as seamen under the Jones Act, giving them the right to pursue a negligence claim against their employer when unsafe conditions, poor training, or inadequate staffing contributed to their injury. They may also bring unseaworthiness claims that are focused on the condition of the vessel, its rigging, and its equipment. Such workers are entitled to maintenance and cure benefits that cover basic living expenses and medical care during recovery, separate from any question of fault.
Because towing operations often involve a tug owner, a barge owner, and sometimes a separate towing company, more than one entity may share responsibility for an accident. Our tugboat accident lawyers investigate ownership and operational agreements closely to identify every party who may be liable.
Heavy Traffic on the Lower Mississippi
The stretch of river running through and below New Orleans is among the most heavily trafficked inland waterways in the country, with deep-draft ships, barges, and tugs all sharing the same narrow channel. That congestion, combined with strong currents, bridge crossings, and frequent fog, raises the stakes on every maneuver a tug crew makes. When a collision or grounding happens in this stretch of river, our attorneys often review Coast Guard vessel traffic data, radio communications, and pilot logs to reconstruct exactly how the incident unfolded and whether proper protocols were followed.
A Team Built for Complex River & Gulf Cases
Our New Orleans tugboat accident attorneys bring more than 85 years of combined experience and a track record of recovering hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients. Rather than assigning a single attorney to manage a case alone, our eight attorneys collaborate on strategy and case preparation, bringing insights from backgrounds that span maritime law, insurance defense, and trial work. We know how to go up against any company and their insurer and walk way with the results that our clients need.
There are no upfront costs, and we do not get paid unless we recover compensation for you. Call (504) 276-6962 to learn more in a free consultation.
A compilation of the Frischhertz & Impastato attorneys and staff at work and interacting with clients.
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