A former towboat crew member has won a $4.3 million judgment on claims that he suffered post-traumatic stress syndrome after being forced by his then-employer to stay on his vessel during Hurricane Katrina.
The (Alton) Telegraph reports that U.S. District Judge David Herndon has sided with 53-year-old Tyree Webb of Clarksville, Tenn., and ruled against TECO Barge Line Inc. of Metropolis. The two-day bench trial took place last September in East St. Louis, Ill.
Tyree Webb was an engineer on the Anita M. towboat on the Mississippi River during the 2005 hurricane.
Crew members testified they feared for their lives during Katrina and called home to say goodbye.
Herndon noted the vessel wasn’t designed to protect crew members from a hurricane’s force.
The company hasn’t returned a message seeking comment.
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Warren Presses Insurance Watchdogs for Answers Amid Walter Probe 
Microsoft Joins AI Firms Calling for Caution With Cutting-Edge Models 
Amazon Seen as Shielded from Liability for Miami Cargo Plane Crash 
What Do We Remember About 9/11? Whom Do We Remember? 
Want to stay up to date?
Get the latest insurance news
sent straight to your inbox.