Maritime Accident Lawyer

The maritime industry plays a vital role in the lives of residents in Federal Way and throughout the state of Washington. Washington’s maritime industry employs close to 70,000 workers and generates more than $17 billion in revenue and $4.7 billion in wages, according to the Washington State Department of Commerce. Maritime businesses include cargo operations, fishing vessels, fish processing facilities, recreational boating, the ferry system and other passenger vessel operations, and shipyards. Washington’s maritime industry is big business that brings many benefits to our state, but it is not an industry without risk; in fact, maritime workers are at a higher risk of suffering work injuries and fatalities than most other industries.

Federal Way maritime injury attorneys know that maritime accidents are not like other onshore accidents, especially when it comes to the law. Maritime law (or Admiralty law as it is also known) is unique, complicated, and unfamiliar to most attorneys unless they specialize in it. If you have sustained injuries in a maritime accident, you need a maritime law expert to handle your claim. Maritime law attorneys at Russell & Hill – Injury & Accident Attorneys are personal injury experts who are knowledgeable and experienced when it comes to maritime accidents and applicable laws.

Common types of maritime accidents

Maritime injuries can occur in many ways and some of the most common types of accidents are listed below.

• Slip and falls frequently occur on deck or on a pier and sometimes cause going overboard. These accidents are especially common due to dangerous conditions such as clutter or other obstructions, slippery substances, or poor maintenance.
• Fishing injuries caused by accidental knifing, falling overboard, dangerous weather conditions, and equipment defects.
• Shipyard accidents when workers are injured during the construction, maintenance, and repair of ships such as welding burns and heavy equipment injuries.
• Cargo and crane accidents often caused by operator error, defective equipment, and lack of safety equipment when cargo is being loaded and unloaded.
• Vessel collisions with other vessels or objects.

Maritime accident causes and factors

Maritime accidents are often caused by or related to negligent maintenance, negligent operation, defective equipment, lack of safety training, lack of safety equipment, and drug or alcohol use. The maritime industry is subject to many laws and regulations due to the risks and dangers associated with the industry. Compliance with maritime laws and regulations would prevent many of these maritime accident causes.

Application of maritime law

Maritime law applies to marine activity related to commerce, passenger transportation, shipping, and offshore oil rigs. Whether it relates to commercial or recreational activity, passengers and workers who sustain offshore injuries are generally covered under maritime law.

If you or a loved one has sustained offshore injuries due to someone else’s fault, contact a Federal Way maritime law attorney at Russell & Hill – Injury & Accident Attorneys to schedule a consultation. Our maritime law experts will negotiate with insurance companies and take your case to trial, if necessary, in order to see that you receive a full and fair recovery which may include medical bills, property damage, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and disability.