Inland Waterway & River Accidents

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New Orleans River & Inland Waterway Accident Lawyers – Lambert Zainey

Louisiana runs on its rivers, canals, and waterways like the Mississippi and the Intracoastal (ICW). Tugboats, push boats, barges, and dredges are constantly moving, doing vital work. But this work environment has its own dangers, different from working offshore. Getting hurt is a real risk for the crews. Dealing with bridges, locks, tight channels, and heavy boat traffic takes skill, and if someone is careless, bad accidents can happen.

At Lambert Zainey, our New Orleans maritime lawyers know these inland routes well. We’ve helped many towboat crews, tankermen, deckhands, and others hurt working on the Mississippi, the ICW, and other Louisiana waterways. These cases usually fall under the Jones Act and General Maritime Law, and we fight hard to make sure injured river workers get the full money they’re owed.

Injured on a River, Canal, or the Intracoastal Waterway? We Can Help.

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Louisiana’s Busy Inland Waterways: A Different Kind of Danger

Working on Louisiana’s inland waters isn’t like being out in the open Gulf. You face different challenges:

Big Rivers: Mississippi, Atchafalaya, Red River, etc.
The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW): Like a highway for boats connecting ports.
Canals & Bayous: Lots of smaller channels used for transport.
Locks & Dams: Used to control water levels, tricky to get through.
Bridges: Lots of them, risk of hitting them.
Crowded Traffic: Many commercial boats, sometimes pleasure boats too.
Changing Currents & Water Levels: Especially on big rivers.

These things make the job risky for workers on tugs, barges, and other inland boats.

Laws Covering River & Canal Injuries (Usually Jones Act & Maritime Law)

Accidents on rivers and canals used for business generally fall under federal maritime law, not state law:

The Jones Act: This is the main law protecting crew members (“seamen”) on vessels like tugboats, push boats, dredges, etc. If you’re a seaman hurt because your employer or a coworker was careless (negligent), the Jones Act lets you sue your employer.

>> Learn About the Jones Act.

General Maritime Law: These are basic sea law rules. They cover lawsuits against other careless parties (like the operator of another boat that hit yours, or maybe a bridge owner). It also includes the Unseaworthiness rule, which says the vessel owner must provide a reasonably safe boat and equipment.

>> Understand Unseaworthiness.

Maintenance and Cure (M&C): Injured seamen on inland boats also get these basic benefits to cover living costs and medical bills while recovering, no matter who was at fault.

>> Get Details on M&C.

Good to Know: Laws mainly for offshore accidents, like OCSLA (for fixed platforms) or DOHSA (for deaths far offshore), usually do not apply to typical river and canal accidents.

Boats We See Involved (Tugs, Barges, Dredges)

We help workers injured on all kinds of inland commercial boats:

Tugboats & Push Boats: Powerful boats that move barges. Injuries often happen while handling lines, connecting barges (“making tow”), in the engine room, or from navigation mistakes.
Barges (Tank, Deck, Hopper): Big flat boats carrying cargo, pushed by tugs. Injuries often involve slips/falls on deck, falling into open hatches, breathing bad fumes from cargo, or accidents during loading/unloading or connecting to the tug.
Dredges: Boats that dig out channels. Accidents can involve the digging equipment, handling pipes, or the boat’s movement.
Other Boats: Ferries, supply boats working inland, construction boats.

case results

Over $1 Billion Recovered for Maritime Accident Victims

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$330 MILLION SETTLEMENT

Oil storage tank rupture at the Murphy Oil USA refinery in Chalmette, LA. The fastest class certification and resolution of a case of its type and magnitude to date.

SETTLED IN ONLY 12 MONTHS

Arco cryogenic platform explosion caused by improper cold cut of Southern Natural Gas pipeline. Settlement for the injured and deceased in approximately twelve months.

How Accidents Happen on Rivers & Canals (Causes & Types)

Accidents on these busy waterways often happen because of:

Handling Tow Lines & Wires:

Lines snapping under pressure (“snap-back“ – very dangerous, can kill).
Getting tangled in lines or wires while connecting/disconnecting barges.
Falling overboard while handling lines or walking between barges.

Slips, Trips & Falls:

Wet or oily decks on tugs or barges.
Uneven barge surfaces, bad ladders, open hatches you didn’t see.
Tripping over ropes, equipment, or trash left lying around.

Crashes (Collisions & Allisions):

Hitting other boats because someone wasn’t paying attention, couldn’t see well, or radios weren’t working.
Hitting bridges (“allision”) because of bad judgment, strong currents, or steering failure.
Hitting underwater objects or running aground.

Lock & Dam Problems:

Hitting the lock walls going in or out.
Accidents handling lines while tied up inside the lock.
Sudden changes in water level making boats unstable.

Equipment Breaking Down:

Winches, engines, or steering failing.
Barge covers or hatches not working right.

Working on Barges:

Falling into empty cargo holds or tanks.
Breathing harmful fumes from cargo (chemicals, etc.).
Getting hurt while loading or unloading.

Being Tired or Poorly Trained:

Crew fatigue or lack of training leading to bad decisions or mistakes.

Inland waterway accident lawyer Louisiana

Serious Injuries from River & Canal Accidents

Accidents in these tight spots can cause bad injuries:

Head Injuries (TBIs)
Spinal Cord Injuries
Crush Injuries
Broken Bones
Drowning or Near-Drowning
Bad Cuts
Lost Limbs (Amputations – especially from lines snapping)
Burns or Lung Problems (from barge cargo)

Who Can Be Blamed (Liable) for Inland Injuries?

Depending on how the accident happened, the responsible party might be:

Owner/Operator of Another Boat: If their carelessness caused a crash.
Dock Owners: If unsafe conditions at the dock helped cause the injury.
Your Employer: Under the Jones Act if they or a coworker were careless (if you’re a seaman).
Bridge Owner/Operator: If a poorly maintained or operated bridge played a part.
Lock Operators (Like Army Corps of Engineers): If carelessness in running the lock caused the injury (these cases against the government have special rules).
The Vessel Owner (Often your Employer): Under Unseaworthiness if the boat or gear was unsafe, or for carelessness under General Maritime Law.

Finding everyone responsible is important to get fully paid for your injuries.

Why Choose Lambert Zainey for Your River/Inland Accident Case?

Handling inland waterway claims takes specific experience:

We Know Louisiana Waterways: We know the rules, traffic, and dangers of the Mississippi, ICW, and local canals.
We Know Jones Act for River Crews: We help tugboat, push boat, and dredge crews with Jones Act cases all the time.
We Understand Barge Dangers: We know the specific risks of working on and around barges.
We Figure Out Complex Accidents: We know how to investigate crashes, collisions, lock accidents, and equipment failures.
We Win for Inland Workers: We have a strong history of getting good results for workers hurt on Louisiana’s rivers and canals. See our Maritime Case Results.
We’re On Your Side: Getting hurt is tough, and legal claims can be confusing. We make it a priority to give you personal attention, explain things clearly, and guide you with compassion every step of the way. You’ll never be just another case file to us. Read More About Our Maritime Attorneys.

We have represented injured maritime workers for over 40 years. We understand the laws that govern maritime employers and employees.

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Common Questions About Inland Waterway Injuries

Knowing your rights is the first step toward securing fair compensation after a maritime injury. This section answers key questions to empower you with the information you need to protect your claim.

Almost definitely yes. Crew on working boats on inland rivers used for business usually qualify for Jones Act protection.

If you’re a seaman hurt while working for the vessel, you likely still have maritime claims (Jones Act, M&C, Unseaworthiness). You might also have a separate claim against the dock owner if the dock itself was unsafe.

Could be the tugboat company (if the captain messed up), the bridge owner (if the bridge was unsafe or operated wrong), or maybe both, depending on what caused it.

Yes. Locks on rivers used for business are part of the maritime system. Injuries inside are usually covered by Jones Act and General Maritime Law. Claims against the lock operator (often the government) have special rules.

It’s when a tow line under a lot of tension breaks. The ends whip back incredibly fast and hard, often causing terrible injuries or killing anyone in the way. It’s a huge risk when handling lines for towing.

Talk to Our Experienced New Orleans Maritime Attorneys Today

If you got hurt working on the Mississippi River, the Intracoastal Waterway, or any Louisiana canal or bayou, don’t try to handle the legal stuff alone. The maritime lawyers at Lambert Zainey know the laws and dangers for inland waterway workers.

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