Dredging Accidents

Dredging Accidents are Covered Under The Jones Act

Victims of dredging accidents are often unaware that they are usually covered by the Jones Act, a federal law that governs payment to injured sailors and seamen. Dredging operations take place in shallow seas or inland waters to maintain or deepen existing channels.

Dredging operations often lead to hand and arm injuries

Working on a dredge is just as dangerous as other maritime occupations. Hand Injuries are particularly common. Dredging commonly uses suction to extract material from the bottom of the harbor, channel, or river. The sand, mud, and debris often contain large rocks and other materials that do not fit through the pneumatic tubes. Dredge workers attempting to loosen blockages in the dredge pipelines often suffer serious hand and arm crushing injuries.

Experienced maritime injury lawyers

If you are a victim of a dredging accident, speak with an experienced maritime lawyer to find out about your options. At Latti & Anderson, our law firm has more than 45 years of experience helping dredge workers obtain compensation for their medical bills and other costs of their injury. Contact us today to learn how we can help you. Call 1-800-392-6072 for a free initial consultation.

Maritime construction is usually preceded by dredging

Building bridges, tunnels, piers or docks almost always requires dredging before construction can begin. Dredging is the main part of projects involving land reclamation, breach preservation, mining, and marine environmental remediation. In short, there will be dredging operations anywhere there is a body of water.

Clam dredges and other types of dredging equipment are used in fishing

Other types of dredging equipment used in the fishing industry, such as scallop rakes, trawlers, and clam dredges, can cause similar and equally serious injuries. Many dredges and draggers have sharp edges, which can result in amputations to workers attempting to repair or maneuver the equipment under water or on land. Other dredges are similar to earth moving equipment used on land—they just happen to be mounted on a barge or other vessel. Operators of these types of dredges suffer the same injuries as bulldozer and backhoe drivers, compounded by the dangers of working underwater. Some dredges are positioned by divers, who are vulnerable because they are unable to see hazards in the sediment stirred up by a dredging operation.

Wherever you are, our lawyers can help

Even if you are injured on a dredge in waters outside of New England, our attorneys can help. Because Jones Act injuries are covered under federal law, it usually does not matter where the accident occurred. To learn more about how a dredging company may be liable for your injuries, contact our law firm.