The Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway (the Tenn-Tom)
The Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway is a system of locks, dams and canals that stretches 234 miles from the Tennessee River to the Black Warrior-Tombigbee River System near Demopolis, Alabama. Popularly known as the Tenn-Tom, this man-made waterway serves as a vital link for commercial navigation between the nation’s mid-region and the Gulf of Mexico, with coal and timber products accounting for more than 70 percent of the waterway’s commercial shipping operations.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began work on the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway in 1972 and construction was completed in 1984. Today, the Tenn-Tom has 10 locks and dams and more than a dozen ports and terminals.
Ports and harbors on the Tenn-Tom include:
- Bevill-Hook Port
- Crossroads of America Port
- Port of Epes
- Pickens County Port
- City of Aberdeen Port
- Port of Amory
- Port Itawamba
- Lowndes County Port
- Port of Clay County
- Yellow Creek Port
Accidents on the Tenn-Tom
Commercial traffic and operations, along with the locks, dams and bridges situated on Tenn-Tomm, make the waterway a hazardous and dangerous place to work. In the United States, accidents that take place on rivers, lakes and other inland waterways are generally governed by U.S. maritime law. The individuals who work on these waterways are typically protected by our nation’s maritime laws when an accident occurs.
If you are a maritime worker who has been injured on the Tenn-Tom there are several steps you should take to protect your legal rights:
- File an accident report with your employer as soon as possible after the incident
- Consult with an attorney who has extensive experience handling Jones Act and General Maritime Law claims
- Refuse to give any written or sworn statements to your employer until after you have spoken with your attorney – you are under no legal obligation to make a statement
- Seek medical treatment from a doctor of your own choosing – you do not have to see a company physician
Speak with a Lawyer As Quickly as Possible
It is important to consult with your river accident lawyer as quickly as possible after an accident or injury occurs. Your attorney can investigate your accident and gather critical documents and testimony needed to support your case. Depending upon the nature of your work and your injuries, you may be able to pursue legal claims against multiple parties, including your employer, the owner of the ship or vessel, and third party defendants such as equipment manufacturers, product suppliers and maintenance and repair companies.
The Jones Act and other laws that govern the maritime industry are complex and extraordinarily difficult to navigate on your own. If you have been injured on the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway or any other body of water, the Willis Law Firm will provide you with skilled advice and legal representation you need to win your case. Call us today to speak with an experienced river and inland waterway accident lawyer: 1-800-468-4878.
