Washington-Based Lawyers Skilled in Maritime Litigation
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 that are unique to maritime professions, and the laws regarding maritime injuries are different from any other work-related statutes. 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 these same regulations.
Listed below are just a few maritime hazards that may result in serious injuries or disabilities:
- Crane Mishaps
- Drowning
- Scaffolding Accidents
- Slip, Trip, and Fall Incidents
- Vehicle Crashes and Collisions
- Forklift Injuries
- Electrocutions
- Explosions and Fire-Related Injuries
- Machinery Accidents
Treatment expenses associated with these and other injuries can be enormous. As an injured maritime employee in the state of Washington, federal benefits may be available to you under the Jones Act. This law covers various maritime employees who work on or near water 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. Longshoreman and harbor employees are at risk for serious injuries, disability, occupational diseases, illnesses, and fatalities due to negligence and dangerous work environments.
If you have been hurt on the job, you should consult with one of the qualified attorneys at the Bernard Law Group. Under the Federal Employees Liability Act, the statute of limitations to pursue damages in such cases is three years from the date the accident occurred.
The Bernard Law Group has years of experience in matters related to maritime law. We know that as an injured worker you have the right to certain benefits, and it is our goal to ensure that you receive them. If you or a loved one has been injured on the job, please call the Bernard Law Group right away.
