Worker Injured While Cleaning Barge Fails to State Viable Claim Against Owner

A federal appellate court upheld the summary dismissal of a worker’s claims against a shipowner for injuries he sustained while unloading coal from the hopper of a barge. Case: Smith v. Crounse Corp., No. 22-1303, 07/06/2023, published. Facts: Steven Smith worked for Mulzer Crushed Stone as a skid steer operator.  The company had a contract with Crounse Corp. for the provision of barges for Mulzer to transport its crushed stone product. Crounse would deliver the barges to Mulzer, which would then clean the barges to its satisfaction, load them w...