A 22-year-old deck hand drowned when new towboat Megan McB sank in the Upper Mississippi River after it allegedly lost power and floated over a dam. Two crewmembers escaped from the top level of the boat after it floated over the roller gate of a damn and came to rest on its side. The third crewmember on board, Tyler Trussoni, was discovered dead on the second floor.

The towboat accident occurred this July and according to investigators, mechanical failure was expected as the cause of the sinking, but has not been confirmed. An investigation by the Coast Guard is still ongoing. As the towboat began sinking, water flowed over the lock and dam at 89,000 cubic feet per second, which is three times the normal rate.

Accidents on towboats such as this are entirely preventable, whether due to lack of safety procedures, collisions or faulty equipment. Workers that are injured or killed due the negligence of boat owners may be entitled to compensation. The families that grieve for those who suffer a wrongful death at sea may also be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering. At Latti & Anderson LLP, we have spent years defending workers and deck hands and their families across the U.S. that have been injured or killed at sea.

We have been helping those hurt on the job at sea or land for over 50 years. If you have suffered a maritime injury, contact our Boston Jones Act attorneys today for a free consultation.

Latti & Anderson’s Little Extra: In 2010, almost 2,000 towing vessel and barge accidents occurred in the U.S.

Latti & Anderson LLP– Boston maritime trial lawyers