As of last week, search and recovery crews were trying to find a missing boater in Florence, Alabama following a barge accident.

According to The TimesDaily, a barge struck a pontoon boat with eight people onboard on August 15, less than a mile from the Wilson Dam. An initial investigation determined that the pontoon might have stalled in the barge lane of Wilson Lake.

All eight people aboard the pontoon were knocked into the water during the collision, with six being rescued. Crews were able to recover the body of a 79-year-old woman who drowned several hours after the accident, but were still trying to locate another man, 62.

The missing man was reportedly from out-of-state and visiting relatives who lived in Muscle Shoals when the accident took place. Crewmembers aboard the barge were able to pull the six other victims from the water and they were transported to an area hospital for injury treatment.

Officials with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Marine Police Division are investigating the accident. It is unclear why the pontoon suffered mechanical problems, if it did stall in the barge lane.

If a Barge Accident Has Affected You, Speak to Our Maritime Attorneys

While this accident remains under investigation, if your loved one dies in a recreational boating or barge accident, you should speak to our maritime attorneys about your legal rights. You may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit, if it can be proven that negligence on the part of an operator contributed to an accident.

Additionally, if you are a commercial barge employee injured in an accident or your loved one is killed, you may be eligible to file lawsuits under the Jones Act and general maritime law for unseaworthiness to obtain compensation.

We understand that no amount of damages will bring your loved one back; however, money obtained through litigation may help you mend, as well as help your family recover financially following a deadly accident.

Visit our verdicts and settlement page to read more about the maritime accident victims our law firm represents. We handle cases from across the country.

Latti & Anderson LLP – Nationwide Maritime Attorneys