Commercial fishing is a dangerous and deadly business, especially when it comes to the icy, windswept, high-risk waters of the North Pacific. Even with these inherent, ever-present dangers, a commercial fishing company still owes its workers a high duty of care. Failure to provide basic safety measures to prevent injury is considered negligence, and if you suffer injury or death due to these actions (or lack thereof), you and your family have a right to compensation under maritime law. An experienced maritime injury lawyer can help you pursue maximum damages for your commercial fishing accident.
BoatLaw, LLP is a maritime injury law firm representing injured maritime workers, longshoremen, dock workers, and defense base employees nationwide. We fight for maximum compensation, even if your claim was previously denied. With decades of success in worker’s compensation, injury, and wrongful death cases, our experienced attorneys are ready to protect your rights. Call 1-800-BOATLAW today for a FREE, no-obligation consultation, or submit a contact form and our legal team will reach out to you ASAP.
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Attorneys for Commercial Fishing Injuries in Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, and Florida
The legal team at BoatLaw, LLP has decades of experience serving seamen, whether they are employed aboard a fishing vessel or harborside. We have clients all along the West Coast, from California, Oregon, and Washington all the way to Alaska. When it comes to commercial fishermen, we have seen all kinds of cases and worked with hundreds of fishermen injured aboard crabbers, trawlers, longliners, scallop boats, sword and tuna boats, shrimpers, gillnetters, processing vessels, and factory ships. If you are concerned about the amount you are receiving in maintenance and cure for your commercial fishing boat injury, do not hesitate to consult with our experienced maritime injury attorneys at BoatLaw, LLP. Your first consultation is free.
BoatLaw’s Nationally Recognized Commercial Fishing Attorneys
Douglas R. WilliamsDouglas R. Williams was raised in a military family. After retiring from the armed forces, his father sailed as the chief medical officer with several of the world’s prominent cruise lines, including Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line. Doug spent a good part of his youth—when not in school—living in crew quarters aboard ships, sailing with his father. These experiences shaped his career by giving him firsthand exposure to the maritime industry from an early age. Read Doug’s lawyer profile. |
Nicholas J. NeidzwskiNicholas J. Neidzwski is an accomplished trial attorney who handles maritime and personal injury litigation. Nick’s litigation experience includes the successful resolution of various Jones Act, general maritime, and product liability cases on behalf of many different individuals against various companies, including some of the largest maritime corporations in the United States. He has appeared for plaintiffs in state and federal courts throughout Washington, California, Oregon, and Alaska, and has established a reputation as a dedicated advocate for injured individuals and their families. Read Nick’s lawyer profile. |
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Commercial Fishing Maritime Injury Information Center
- Types of Commercial Fishing Accidents
- Wrongful Death and Commercial Fishing
- Recoverable Damages in a Commercial Fishing Accident
Types of Commercial Fishing Accidents We Litigate
Commercial fishing boats are full of risk for all kinds of accidents and injuries. Despite the high risk for danger, the high reward for success often draws fishermen to the trade. Careful training and implementation of safety procedures can prevent most accidents; however, some companies are not as meticulous about these measures as they should be because they are more concerned with their revenue than the safety of their workers. Injuries frequently occur due to this kind of negligence and result in the following types of accidents:
- Slip and fall or trip and fall, usually from slippery or poorly maintained ladders, decks, and gangways
- Falls through open hatches
- Crushing or severing of arms, legs, or fingers by improperly secured hatches, portholes, equipment, or cargo
- Crane or winch failure
- Back injury, shoulder injury, or neck injury from excessive, repetitive motions such as pulling in overloaded nets or traps with improper technique
- Limbs caught up in machinery, rigging, or netting
- Falling overboard due to broken or missing safety guards, or working in conditions that are too rough and dangerous
- Line handling
When these types of accidents and injuries occur due to a commercial fishing company’s negligence, you have a right to pursue damages under the Jones Act and general maritime law. An experienced maritime attorney at BoatLaw, LLP will be able to fight for the compensation and justice you deserve.
Wrongful Death and Commercial Fishing
Unfortunately, many accidents aboard a commercial fishing boat result not just in injury, but in death. Numerous studies show that cold water commercial fishing is the most dangerous job in the United States. From 2010-2014, about 188 commercial fishermen died in the U.S.; out of these 188 fishermen, 75% died from drowning; 43% of the incidents were due to vessel disasters; 30% resulted from falls overboard; and 16% resulted from onboard injuries.
Many of the accidents that result in the death of a fisherman can be prevented by commercial fishing companies implementing and following better safety practices. If your family member or loved one was a crewmember of a commercial fishing vessel and died on duty, you may have a wrongful death claim under maritime law, such as the Jones Act or the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA). An experienced Washington, Oregon, California, or Alaska maritime wrongful death attorney will be able to determine what damages you could qualify for under these acts.
Recoverable Damages in a Commercial Fishing Accident
The damages you may be able to recover in a commercial fishing accident case vary based on the circumstances surrounding the accident, such as the degree of negligence involved and whether you were in national or international waters. Depending on these details, different maritime laws may apply to your case, and, therefore, what kind of damages you can pursue may vary. Generally, you are eligible to recover damages directly related to the commercial fishing accident, including:
- Maintenance and cure
- Medical costs (past and future)
- Rehabilitation
- Reduced or lost capacity to work
- Lost wages
- Disability
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of support (for wrongful death)
- Loss of services (for wrongful death)
- Funeral expenses (for wrongful death)
Where We Litigate Commercial Fishing Injuries
The legal team at BoatLaw, LLP is ready to assist maritime workers injured on the west coast and Florida. Areas we serve include:
| State | Description | Top Ports |
| Washington | Law offices in Bellingham and Seattle. | |
| Oregon | Maritime law office in Portland. | |
| California | Maritime law offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles. | |
| Alaska | Maritime lawyers serving Alaska |
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| Florida | Maritime lawyers serving Florida |
Work With Our Trusted Commercial Fishing Lawyers
When facing the aftermath of injuries, partnering with our experienced maritime lawyers ensures that your case is handled with the precision and dedication it demands.
Contact us today to champion your cause and navigate the complexities of maritime claims, ensuring that your rights are fiercely protected and your future is secured.
Call 1 (800) 262-8529 for a free claim review and consultation.
Do not settle for less than what your case is worth!
