Maritime Wrongful Death Claims

Getting compensation for the families of Alaska seamen and maritime workers in maritime death cases

Maritime families live every day with the knowledge that their loved one may die at sea. Maritime work aboard ships and fishing vessels is one of the most dangerous jobs in the U.S., but those who love the sea — and their families — find it rewarding. That love doesn't make it any easier when tragedy happens.

Families of maritime workers are entitled to receive compensation when a loved one dies at sea. How much money they can receive is governed by general maritime law, by the Death on the High Seas Act and by the Jones Act.

If you lost a loved one working in Alaska’s maritime occupations, you have financial needs and you have rights. We are here to protect those rights. We are the maritime lawyers of Beard Stacey & Jacobsen, LLP.

Our Alaska maritime wrongful death claim attorneys have handled lawsuits on behalf of the family of crew members who died in almost every high profile vessel sinking in the past 20 years. We've representing families in the sinking of the Aleutian Enterprise, Arctic Rose, Galaxy, Lin J, Pace Setter, Amber Dawn, Freya, Pacific Apollo, Vestfjord, Nowitna, Oceanic, Nesika, Alaska Ranger, and Katmai.

We have recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients, including:

• $3 million for wrongful maritime death in a crab boat sinking
• $2.5 million for maritime death in a factory trawler sinking
• $2.9 million for the wrongful death of oil response worker
• $1.5 million for wrongful death of a fish processor
• $1 million for wrongful death of a crab boat deckhand

Proving fault: Negligence and unseaworthiness

Every year careful seaman and deck hands die at sea because of the negligent actions of ship owners. Negligence and unseaworthiness are the two factors that must be proved in order to bring a successful seaman maritime wrongful death claim/survivor claim.

Throughout the commercial fishing and shipping industry, the law office of Beard, Stacy, & Jacobsen, LLP, is known for its thorough and effective representation of maritime families in fatal shipping accident cases. We research ship records and safety report papers; work with experts to document unsafe conditions, and interview witnesses and survivors to piece together what happened in the final days and minutes of a vessel sinking to determine what caused the sinking.

Death on the High Seas Act

If a fisherman or crew member dies more than 3 nautical miles from shore, the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) provides part of the right to compensation for the spouse and family of dead seamen. Damages a family can receive under the DOHSA include:

• Lost support (current and future earnings)
• Loss of services that the deceased provided to the household
• Loss of care, nurture and guidance for children and companionship for the spouse

Under the Jones Act, family has a right to compensation for pre-death pain and suffering of a seaman.

Our Alaska maritime wrongful death law offices serve families throughout the United States who have lost loved ones in fatal boat accidents in Alaska, Washington and Oregon, drowning incidents, and other maritime wrongful death accidents. Contact an experienced maritime law attorney at Beard Stacey & Jacobsen, LLP, or call us toll free at 1-877-332-5529.