Tacoma Maritime Lawyers
Every year in the United States thousands of people suffer physical injuries as the result of maritime accidents, including harbor workers, dock workers and longshoremen. Maritime laws apply to workers who are employed on floating vessels such as cruise ships, barge tugs, diving ships, cargo ships, fishing boats, tankers, drill vessels and barges.
There are certain risks and hazards which are unique to maritime professions and the laws regarding maritime injuries are different from any other work related injury laws. For example, most non-maritime employees are covered by Workers’ Compensation laws in the event that they suffer from an on the job injury, but maritime employees are not covered under Workers’ Compensation laws.
Listed below are just a few maritime accidents which may result in serious injuries or disabilities:
- Crane accidents
- Drowning accidents
- Scaffolding accidents
- Slip, trip and fall accidents
- Vehicle accidents
- Forklift injuries
- Electrocutions
- Explosions and fire related injuries
- Machinery accidents
The expenses involved with treating any injuries resulting from any of the above mentioned accidents may be enormous. Since maritime employees are not covered by Workers’ Compensation they will not receive important benefits. As an injured maritime employee in Washington, you may be able to collect benefits under the Jones Act, which was passed by the Federal government in order to provide maritime workers with accident related benefits. Various maritime employees who work on or near water may be covered by the Jones Act and maritime law, including merchant seamen, harbor pilots and offshore workers.
If you are a dock worker there are also specific laws which apply to you, such as the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. Like other maritime workers, longshoreman and harbor employees are at risk for serious injuries, disability, occupational diseases and illnesses, and fatalities due to negligence and dangerous work environments.
As the victim of a work related maritime injury you should consult with experienced Seattle Washington maritime injury attorneys immediately following your accident. According to the Federal Employees Liability Act, the statute of limitations is three years from the date that the accident took place.
Bernard Law Group has years of experience in Washington maritime law matters. We know that as an injured worker you have the right to certain benefits, and it is our goal to ensure that you receive the benefits and financial assistance that you deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured on the job, please call Bernard Law Group right away.
IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A MARITIME ACCIDENT, CALL TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION!
