Therefore, the taking of statements when your vessel is in port is critical. Please try and notify your attorney of all possible eye witnesses who observed the condition which caused your accident so an investigator may obtain statements from all possible witnesses. Next, proof of damages must be established, typically involving the loss of past or future earnings that a seamen otherwise would have earned “but for” the accident. This could include future anticipated contracts of employment with this or other vessels, or other work in the private sector. In the meantime, regardless of liability, the injured seaman is entitled to recover maintenance and cure regardless of fault. This shall continue until the seaman reaches maximum medical improvement according to his or her treating physician.

Often crews are required to work under onerous and hazardous conditions in hopes of increasing the vessel’s revenues. These conditions can lead to serious injuries. If you were injured because of the negligence of an employer or operator, or because of an unseaworthy condition aboard the vessel, you may have a Jones Act claim which would entitle you to the recovery of wages, medical expenses, damages for pain and suffering and other general damages.

Contact a Kent Maritime Lawyer at Kornfeld Law today for your free consultation.

If you were injured because of the negligence of an employer or operator, or because of an unseaworthy condition aboard the vessel, you may have a Jones Act claim which would entitle you to the recovery of maintenance (temporary lost wages) and cure (medical care), and additionally general damages.  Your employer or the vessel’s owners are required to provide these benefits to you.  Typically an injured crew member is entitled to recover his wages, medical expenses and damages for pain and suffering and other general damages providing one has been injured while on duty or during the course of employment.  The recoverable general and special damages to one who is injured in a commercial fishing or recreational boating accident may generally be the same as one who is injured in a car accident.  You are entitled to recover general damages for your pain and suffering, inconvenience, loss of opportunity to enjoy life, loss of and including the companionship of family members, loss of services, emotional and psychological distress, death, disability, permanent injuries, dismemberment, and all special damages, such as, medical bills, wage loss, future wages, diminution in earning potential, and all other out of pocket expenses.

If you have been injured in a maritime accident you are welcome to contact our Lynnwood Maritime Accident Lawyers for a free consultation. If there is no recovery in your case there will be no fee.