Seattle Maritime Injury Attorneys – Standing Up for Crew Members Seattle

Google Review

Aspectos destacados clave

  • Abogados de lesiones marítimas en Seattle represent maritime workers such as seamen, ferry workers, longshoremen, and cruise ship workers.
  • Maritime injury cases are governed by the Jones Act, LHWCA, and general maritime law, not standard Washington workers’ compensation.
  • Injuries at sea often involve serious, long-term harm, including crushing injuries, head and spinal trauma, repetitive stress injuries, and wrongful death.
  • Russell & Hill Law Firm provides Washington-based maritime experience, aggressive federal court representation, and works on a contingency fee basis no fees unless compensation is recovered.

Workers in Seattle’s maritime industry are subjected to some of the most hazardous working conditions in the world. Maritime workers are frequently injured at sea, but the law governing maritime injuries is extremely complicated and merciless. 

Maritime workers throughout the North Pacific and Bering Sea are typically subject to lengthy shifts, severe weather conditions, heavy machinery, and extreme fatigue as part of their regular working conditions. Injured maritime workers face enormous medical expenses due to their injuries, loss of wages associated with their injuries, pressure from their employers, and fear of retaliation or being forced to see an employer-approved doctor.

En Bufete de abogados Russell & Hill, nuestro Seattle maritime injury attorneys assist injured maritime workers in Washington state and represent maritime workers in any Jones Act, LHWCA, or unseaworthy claim they may have as a result of employment as a seaman, ferry worker, longshoreman, or cruise ship employee and is located within the marine industry in Seattle.

If you have been injured while working in the Seattle commercial fishing industry, call a boating accident lawyer in Seattle now for a free, private consultation.

Understanding Maritime Injury Laws That Apply in Washington

Your job duties determine which law will apply to your maritime injury; therefore, your employer or position does not dictate which law is applicable.

There are several different types of maritime injury claims governed by law in Washington. All of these claims have their own distinct legal tests, standards for obtaining benefits, and methods of seeking legal recourse. If you pursue the wrong injury claim, you could lose out on tens of thousands of dollars in benefits.

Here is maritime injury laws:

The Jones Act (Seamen & Crew Members)

El Ley Jones is designed to protect sailors who are contributing to the function or mission of the ship. This law also allows an injured sailor (seaman) to sue the ship’s owner for negligence if unsafe working conditions contributed to his or her injury. 

  • Shipowners must provide a reasonable degree of safety for the ship, provide proper equipment, and train the ship’s crew adequately. 
  • The Jones Act provides injured maritime workers (sailors) with the strongest protection available because even minimal negligence can support a claim.

Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)

Those on trips as longshoremen, dock workers, shipyard workers, ferry boat workers and terminal employees who suffer injury while working in or around navigable waterways are covered by this law. 

  • The above benefits are provided on a no fault basis; therefore, it is not necessary to prove negligence before being entitled to benefits under this Act.
  • The benefits provided to injured workers under LHWCA include only compensation for medical care and partial wage loss; however, pain/suffering damage is not covered.

Derecho Marítimo General

Along with federal statutes, general maritime laws also provide protection to injured maritime workers.

  • When the vessel is unfit for its anticipated purpose due to lack of maintenance, production difficulties, or other reasons, the injured worker may be entitled to an unseaworthiness claim.
  • Maintenance and cure requires employers to compensate their employees for daily living expenses
  • Failure to provide medical care can expose employers to additional damages when delays worsen injuries.

Common Maritime Accidents & Injuries We See in Seattle

Maritime injuries can typically be avoided by taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of vessels and crews, as well as adhering to safety procedures.

The maritime industry in Seattle presents significant risks due to the various types of vessels and environments in which they operate, and minor safety violations may result in serious accidents.

Vessel Types We Handle

Seattle has a high rate of maritime accidents on the various types of working vessels operating year round under difficult conditions.

  • Fishing boats and crabbing vessels – Commercial fishermen and crabbers operate their vessels on extended seasons with very little time to rest, while working with heavy deck equipment.
  • Factory trawlers – Factory trawlers use conveyor belts, processing lines and freezing systems, which contribute to a higher likelihood of injury.
  • Tugboats and barges – Tugboats and barges work in very busy waterways, and have cargo that may be unstable. 
  • Washington State Ferries – Washington State Ferries transport passengers and vehicles while operating on tight schedules.
  • Cruise ships – Cruise ship companies hire individuals in the hospitality and maintenance industries; those jobs are very physically demanding.

Common Maritime Injuries

Many of the injuries sustained are due to prior unsafe practices rather than being a result of an accident that could not be predicted. Examples include:

  • Crushing injuries from winches, capstans, and deck machinery during line handling operations.
  • Traumatic head/spinal injuries sustained by falling on wet, rolling decks or using ladders with inadequate maintenance or an unsafe work environment.
  • Repetitive stress injuries sustained due to prolonged work below deck that involves processing, lifting or vibrating actions.
  • Burns, explosions, and electrical failures caused by either lack of maintenance or improper maintenance/faulty systems.
  • Wrongful death at sea as a result of a delayed medical response due to unsafe/dangerous working conditions.

First-Hand Hazard Experience

El maritime accident attorneys we employ often investigate cases involving:

  • Damaged or malfunctioning winch cables that snap under load
  • Bait stations that do not have slip-resistant surfaces or drains  
  • Lockout/tagout procedures that do not provide proper protection to workers when performing maintenance on or cleaning machinery.

Seattle-Specific Maritime Experience & Local Authority

Seattle is the operational hub for the North Pacific fishing fleet; therefore, obtaining strong regional maritime expertise will be necessary to win your injury claim.

As a worldwide maritime gateway, Seattle is home to one of the largest and most intricate systems of maritime commerce in the US. The Port of Seattle, Port of Tacoma, and the Fisherman’s Terminal in Ballard collectively represent three of the busiest ports in the United States, creating overlapping jurisdictions at a number of overlapping federal jurisdictions, which creates complicated legal issues for vessels operating in those jurisdictions.

El Abogados de lesiones marítimas en Seattle at our firm have extensive operational knowledge of cruise lines, cargo ships, regional commercial fishing vessels, and vessels operating in the North Pacific and Bering Sea. We have this localized experience to understand many of the liability issues that out-of-state firms commonly overlook when pursuing claims for maritime injuries in the federal court system.

“Maritime cases are some of the most complicated injury claims in the legal system. Every vessel, route, and job duty requires extensive investigation and research to properly classify the worker and pursue fair compensation.”
Mathew T Russell, Attorney at Russell & Hill Law Firm

What to Do Immediately After a Maritime Injury 

The actions taken within the first 24-72 hours after a marine injury will determine whether you obtain the full amount of damages to which you are entitled or nothing at all. Maritime employers and their insurers tend to take swift action to limit their liability for maritime injuries. To preserve and protect your rights, you must take prompt, informed actions.

Report the Injury Immediately

Notifying your captain or supervisor as soon as possible to documents the injury and creates an official record so that your employer cannot claim that your injury occurred while you were not on duty, and is separate and not a result of operating the vessel.

Demand Independent Medical Treatment

If you rely solely on the company’s doctor for a medical evaluation, you will potentially jeopardize your claim against the employer. The employer’s medical doctor may downplay the severity of your injury. An independent medical doctor will provide you with an actual picture of your injury, how it will affect you in the future, and have any evidence to preserve for your maritime abogado de lesiones personales.

Document Unsafe Conditions

Collect any photos, witness names, or maintenance records that can establish negligence or unseaworthiness, especially any evidence of hazardous conditions can greatly help with he claim. Even if those unsafe working conditions are repaired by your employer as quickly after the accident as possible.

File a Master’s Report of Accident

The formal report is required under the maritime laws. The report can later become critical evidence in a Jones Act or LHWCA claim.

Avoid Recorded Statements

Insurance adjusters often try to take a recorded statement from you to limit the amount of money you may receive. Prior to giving a recorded statement to anyone about your actual maritime injury, speak with a boat accident attorney near me who is familiar with maritime injury law to protect your future legal rights.

Contact a Seattle Maritime Injury Attorney

Experienced Seattle boat accident attorneys will help ensure that you are classified correctly as a worker, protect all evidence related to your accident, and avoid mistakes that could affect your ability to pursue a successful claim.

Why Choose Russell & Hill as Your Seattle Maritime Injury Attorneys

Cases involving maritime injuries require Seattle boating accident attorneys  who have extensive knowledge of maritime law and a demonstrated track record of success in federal court.

Russell & Hill is dedicated to serving those who have suffered injuries while working on a vessel, whether due to a maritime accident in the Seattle area or due to a serious maritime accident anywhere in Washington, including those arising under the Jones Act.

  • Our legal team in Washington has the experience necessary to represent you effectively in both federal and state courts. We understand how to investigate, prepare, and litigate maritime injury cases effectively.
  • Nuestro maritime accident lawyers can successfully represent clients with significant personal injuries and other long-lasting effects. We know how valuable an experienced boating injury lawyer can be if the defendant will not agree to pay a fair settlement.
  • We take the time to thoroughly investigate each case, including obtaining expert witness testimony, before determining the proper course of action. In most cases, we do not settle quickly for an amount less than the full value of the injury.
  • Every client receives individual attention and the ability to communicate directly with their boating injury attorney. Russell & Hill operates on a contingency fee basis. This means if our boat accident law firm does not recover compensation for you, there will be no fees for legal representation.
  • We work on a contingency basis, meaning no legal fees unless compensation is successfully recovered.

Protecting Injured Maritime Workers Across Seattle

Maritime injury cases can be complicated, time-sensitive and have a great deal of attorney involvement. An injured worker who does not have an experienced boating accidents lawyer will be exposed to the likelihood of being incorrectly classified, undercompensated or not receiving any benefits to which they are legally entitled.

En el bufete de abogados Russell & Hill, nuestros Abogados de lesiones marítimas en Seattle are  committed to protecting the rights of injured workers in the maritime industry, including seamen, dock workers and cruise ship employees, throughout Washington State. Our firm has the local knowledge of the maritime industry combined with experience in federal court to maximize the compensation which our clients should be entitled to receive.

If you or someone close to you have suffered an injury while working in the maritime industry, please contact the Russell & Hill Law Firm today to speak with experienced Seattle maritime accident attorneys.

Frequently Asked Questions About Seattle Maritime Injury Attorneys

Who qualifies as a “seaman” under the Jones Act?

In order to qualify as “seaman,” a worker must have job functions to perform on board a vessel for purposes of contributing to the vessel’s mission, and must spend significant period of time on board while the vessel is in a navigable status

Can I sue my employer for a maritime injury?

Yes. Seamen can bring a lawsuit under the Jones Act against an employer for any negligence that the employer caused, while longshoremen may pursue a lawsuit in court under a third-party action depending on how injury occured.

What is maintenance and cure, and how long does it last?

Maintenance and cure is a program that provides for the reimbursement of daily living expenses along with the cost of medical care until you have reached maximum medical improvement, regardless of who caused it.

What if I was injured on a ferry or at a port terminal?

Your claim may be governed under either the Longshore and LHWCA or the Jones Act, depending on factors including where you work, your job duties, and how connected to the operation of a vessel you were at the time of your injury.

How long do I have to file a maritime injury claim?

The statute of limitations for most maritime claims is tres años; however, the statute of limitations varies and therefore, you should consult with maritime injury lawyers lo antes posible.

How much does a maritime lawyer cost?

Mayoría maritime attorneys charge only on a percentage of the money they recover as a result of your case; therefore, no money is paid upfront and no money is owed until after your recovery.

Is maritime law hard to prosecute?

Yes, maritime cases are complicated due to the many federal laws, jurisdictions issues as well as defense strategies available to the other party. Because maritime law is complicated and therefore requires experienced maritime attorneys in order to prosecute successfully.

Preguntas frecuentes sobre casos de lesiones personales

¿Por qué mi abogado tarda tanto en resolver mi caso en Washington?
¿Quién paga las facturas médicas después de un accidente automovilístico si usted no tuvo la culpa?
¿Qué hacer después de un accidente automovilístico?
¿Cuánto cuesta contratar a un abogado de lesiones?
¿Qué debo hacer si la compañía de seguros me ofrece un acuerdo?
¿Mi caso irá a juicio?
¿Se puede demandar a Lyft por un accidente? Derechos legales en Washington
¿Cómo presentar un informe de accidente automovilístico en Everett?
¿Qué debo hacer inmediatamente después de una lesión?
¿Cuánto tiempo tengo para presentar una reclamación por lesiones?
Cómo evaluar si su situación califica para una reclamación por lesiones personales
¿Qué daños puedo obtener en un caso de lesiones?
Lawyers

Asentamientos

$1.15M

Asentamiento


Accidente automovilístico

$870K

Asentamiento


Accidente automovilístico

$550K

Asentamiento


Accidente automovilístico

$875K

Asentamiento


Muerte por negligencia

$300K

Asentamiento


Accidente automovilístico

$210K

Asentamiento


Resbalón y caída

$200K

Asentamiento


Accidente automovilístico

$180K

Asentamiento


Resbalón y caída

Obtenga su evaluación de caso GRATUITA hoy

Si desea más información o quiere hablar con nosotros sobre cómo podemos ayudarle.

¡Estamos listos para ayudar!

¿Tiene preguntas o necesita asistencia legal personalizada? Contáctenos en [email protected]y discutiremos cómo podemos apoyarlo en cada paso del camino.

Google Review

Spokane

1212 North Washington St, Suite 132, Spokane, WA 99201

(800) 529-0842 Obtener direcciones

Everett

3811-A Broadway Everett, WA 98201

(800) 529-0842 Obtener direcciones

Vancouver

502 NE 72nd St Suite 208 Vancouver, WA 98665

(800) 529-0842 Obtener direcciones

Marysville

9317 State Ave, Suite A-4, Marysville, WA 98270

(800) 529-0842 Obtener direcciones

Valle de Spokane

9212 E Montgomery Ave, Suite 401-5, Spokane Valley, WA 99206

(800) 529-0842 Obtener direcciones