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Offshore Pipeline Explosion

pipeline explosion, gas explosion, work injury, workers' compensation, wrongful death, chemical exposure, class action, product liability On October 12, 2006, a tugboat with two barges struck an underwater high-pressure gas line causing a pipeline explosion and fire killing four people. Two people are missing and local authorities continued their search, now deemed a "recovery effort," in West Cote Blanche Bay, near Morgan City, Louisiana. The barges, owned by Athena Construction Co. out of Morgan City, were in transit to another location. The tugboat was owned by Central Boat Rentals. The workers on the barge were employed by Athena Construction, a subsidiary of Diamondback Energy Services. The workers' services had been contracted by Gulfport Energy Corp. Gulfport Energy also owns the pipeline that was struck.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, a piling dropped from one of the barges and struck the submerged high-pressure gas line, causing the line to rupture and catch fire.

Morice Law Firm, working with other counsel, is filing suit on behalf of one of the barge crewmember's family.