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$ 4,000,000 Fishing Boat Fire and Explosion
Circulating compressor explodes leading to burns to deckhand engineer

$ 3,350,000 Fish Processor Injury
Confidential settlement for fish processor injured through negligence aboard ship

$ 3,250,000 Brain Injury
Tug Boat deckhand injured on barge by unseaworthy crane

$ 2,900,000 Wrongful Death for Seaman
Oil response Worker died when winch failed

$ 2,600,000 Arm Injury
Improperly trained fish processor injured cleaning Surimi auger

$ 2,500,000 Amputated hand
Fish processor injured by unguarded fish header

$ 2,500,000 Class Action Wage Dispute for crewman maintenance and cure

$ 2,240,000 Tug Boat Deckhand hand Injury
Tug boat deck hand injured through faulty equipment

$ 2,350,000 Deckhand Injury
Deckhand's foot crushed by moving deck hatch - Boston jury verdict

$ 2,300,000 Brain Injury and Seizure disorder
Negligent failure to provide ship pilot's safe transfer between ships

$ 2,300,000 Wrongful death claims for crewmen in factory trawler sinking


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FAQ: What Should I Do if I was Injured While Working as a Seaman or Fisherman?

Pacific Maritime Injury Lawyers

We make the following general suggestions to a seaman or fisherman who is injured on the job. Each case is different and there may be additional advice we would give in a specific case. Feel free to call us toll free at 1-877-DECKLAW (1-877-332-5529) and we will provide the best advice we can which is specific to your case. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through our answering service. Or, you can reach us by e mail bstj@maritimelawyer.us

  1. Report the injury to your supervisor or the captain.

    Maritime law relating to fishermen requires an injury to be reported within 7 days. If the injury is not reported, that does not mean that you do not have a claim. But, the injury should be reported as soon as practical after the incident.

  2. Complete an accident report.

    Again, the injury should be reported as soon as practical after the incident. And, if the accident is in writing, there is a record. The verbal reports are later subject to being “forgotten.”

  3. Get the appropriate medical attention.

    As we discussed fuller in our FAQ section, an injured seaman and fisherman have the right to all reasonable medical care, to be paid by the employer or the employer’s insurance company. There is no deductible for the injured seaman or fisherman. The employer must pay for this medical care up until the seaman and fisherman reach a point of “maximum medical improvement.” In other words, the seaman is entitled to medical care until he is as good as the treatment can get him/her.

  4. Remember the witnesses, get their phone numbers and addresses.

    If there were witnesses to your injury, try to get their phone numbers and addresses. Many times, after the passage of time, it makes it difficult to relocate these witnesses. Also, try to get a close relatives phone number if the witness may be moving around some.

  5. Know your rights.

    The insurance adjusters and company claims people are good at what they do. Their number one job is to save the insurance company money. Know your rights so that they can not take advantage of you. Call an experienced and qualified maritime lawyer. We offer a free initial consultation so that we can inform the injured seaman what to expect and what are his/her rights.

  6. Do NOT give a recorded statement.

    An insurance representative or insurance adjuster may ask to record a statement from you. Do not agree to give a recorded statement. You do not have to give them one. A skilled questioner may twist your words around. And, recorded statements can be manipulated. Things can be left out. It is best not to give a recorded statement.