Our Nationwide Maritime Trial Attorney Team Fights for Commercial Fishermen
Commercial Fishermen Have Legal Rights Different than Workers Injured on Land
Workers’ compensation does not apply to maritime workers who work on the water. Fortunately, there are other legal protections in place for commercial fishermen. Maritime law contains ways to help those who have been the victim of a fishing boat accident caused by someone else’s negligence or the unseaworthiness of the vessel, which can help fishermen recover compensation for their injuries. A maritime attorney can asssist you in claiming this compensation, which you rightfully deserve.
Commercial fishermen come from around the world, from Portugal, Italy, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Honduras and more, and work on a variety of different types of ships, such as draggers, scallopers, clamming vessels, in and offshore lobster boats, crab boats, seiners, gillnetters, trawlers, long liners, trollers and processing vessels. Commercial fishermen can be captains, mates, deck bosses, engineers, cooks, deck hands and lumpers, but no matter who they are or from what culture they hail, the truth is the same: commercial fishermen work extremely hard and deserve the safest environment possible.
Fishermen Have Legal Rights to Injury Compensation
Under the Jones Act, in order to recover damages, you have to prove that the Employer was negligent - that the Employer failed to use reasonable care. To succeed on a claim for unseaworthiness, you have to prove that the vessel, a piece of equipment, its appurtenances were not reasonably fit for its intended purpose.
Examples of negligence or unseaworthy conditions that Latti & Anderson LLP have successfully recovered damages for injured fisherman or families of loved ones lost at sea are as follows:
- Unsafe procedures and operations followed
- Failure to repair and maintain equipment
- Use of defective equipment
- Lack of non-skid surfaces on deck
- Inadequate number of crew or inexperienced crew
- Fishing accidents resulting from crew member fatigue
- Failure to provide proper means of ingress and egress to vessel
- Lack of proper railing height
- Lack of Safety procedures and operations
- Blind spots of winch/equipment operators
- Failure to provide proper safety and lifesaving equipment
- Improperly working navigational equipment
- Lack of vessel stability
- Electrical fires due to improperly maintained equipment
- Improper operation of equipment
- Operating fishing equipment without determining all crew members are clear of area and out of zone of danger
- Unsafe and dangerous working conditions
Commercial fishermen hurt on the job may be entitled to the following compensation for a fishing injury:
- Past and Future Lost wages
- Impairment to Earning capacity
- Past and future pain, suffering and mental anguish
- Physical disfigurement
- Past and future medical bills
Are You a Commercial Fisherman? Injured On the Job? We Help Nationwide Fishermen Financially Recover
Our work on behalf of commercial fishermen and maritime workers hurt on commercial fishing or families who have lost loved ones have resulted in millions of verdicts and settlements.
- $2.5 million settlement for scalloper who sustained fractured skull and orthopaedic injuries when wave sent him crashing into equipment.
- $1.86 million settlement for near complete loss of vision of deckhand injured when line snapped
- $1.65 million verdict for captain of scallop boat who had a torn rotator cuff
- $1.5 million settlement for deckhand struck by line while hauling back a trawling net
Additionally, if injured during the course of employment a commercial fisherman is entitled to maintenance and cure which is the payment of the fisherman’s basic living expenses and medical bills until the fisherman reaches maximum medical improvement, “MMI.”
It is important that if you are injured or lost a loved one at sea, it is important that you understand the legal rights you are entitled too. We understand the complexities of maritime law and have the knowledge and experience to provide you with sound legal advice and effective representation. We will fight aggressively to ensure you receive the full amount of injury compensation you are entitled.
Jones Act Lawyers Who Represent Commercial Fisherman from all Over the World on All Different Types of Commercial Fishing Vessels
Commercial fishermen come from around the world, from Portugal, Italy, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Honduras and more, and work on a variety of different types of ships, such as draggers, scallopers, clamming vessels, in and offshore lobster boats, crab boats, seiners, gillnetters, trawlers, long liners, and processing vessels. Commercial fishermen can be captains, mates, deck bosses, engineers, cooks, deck hands and lumpers, but no matter who they are or from what culture they hail, the truth is the same that commercial fishermen work extremely hard and deserve the safest working environment possible and the proper representation and compensation for their injuries.
Latti & Anderson LLP represent commercial fisherman from all over the world from the fishing ports of New Bedford, Massachusetts; Portland, Main; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Cape May/Atlantic City, New Jersey; Newport, Rhode Island; Newport News, Virginia to Seattle Washington. We only work for those employed in the fishing industry – never the employers
Rely On Our Jones Act Maritime Trial Attorney After a Commercial Fishing Accident
If you or a member of your family suffers a serious injury or dies in a commercial fishing accident, you must act quickly. Maritime law, imposes time limits on when you can obtain compensation for your injuries and loss. Let us put our more than 50 years of experience to work for you. We mostly work on a contingency basis, which means you pay no money upfront. We also offer free case evaluations. Contact our maritime attorneys at (800) 392-6072 today to learn about your best legal options to help guide you in the right direction.