Off the coast of Snohomish County, Washington, factory trawlers operate as floating production facilities, processing and freezing vast quantities of fish caught in the North Pacific and Bering Sea. These complex vessels, equipped with advanced machinery for catching, processing, and storing seafood, are workplaces for hundreds of maritime workers. While these trawlers are marvels of the maritime industry, working on them comes with significant risks due to the demanding environment and the intricate machinery involved. If you have sustained an injury while working on a factory trawler, you’re most likely seeking financial compensation. Continue reading and contact a dedicated Snohomish County factory trawler injury lawyer from Amy C Brown Law, PLLC today so we can get started working on your case.
Our firm represents a wide range of maritime workers who have sustained injuries while working on factory trawlers, including the following:
The harsh and demanding environment of factory trawlers can lead to a variety of serious injuries. Some of the most common injuries we see include:
If you’ve sustained any of the aforementioned injuries while working on a factory trawler, reach out to a skilled Snohomish County maritime injury lawyer from Amy C Brown Law, PLLC for guidance today.
Injured maritime workers can file claims for compensation under various laws, depending on the specific circumstances of their injuries.
Jones Act
The Jones Act is a federal law that provides protection to seamen, including those working on factory trawlers. If you’ve been injured due to negligence on the part of your employer or coworkers, the Jones Act allows you to seek damages for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, and more. Unlike workers’ compensation, which is a no-fault system, the Jones Act requires you to prove negligence. However, the threshold for proving negligence under the Jones Act is lower than in standard personal injury cases.
Maintenance and Cure
Regardless of fault, maritime law entitles injured seamen to “maintenance and cure.” Maintenance refers to a daily living allowance paid until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement, while cure covers medical expenses related to your injury. This provision ensures you receive immediate financial and medical support following an injury.
Doctrine of Unseaworthiness
Under general maritime law, vessel owners have an obligation to ensure their ships, including factory trawlers, are seaworthy. If you’re injured because the vessel was not properly equipped, maintained, or crewed, you may have a claim for unseaworthiness. This claim does not require proof of negligence, only that the unsafe condition of the vessel contributed to your injury.
If you’ve been injured aboard a factory trawler, you need an attorney who is well-versed in maritime law and who can effectively fight for your right to compensation. Fortunately, if you’re reading this, you’ve come to the right place. Contact a skilled Snohomish County factory trawler injury lawyer from Amy C Brown Law, PLLC for your free initial consultation today.
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