| Three of the types of maritime accidents reported | | | | of the causes of injury to workers in this field include: |
| each year are those involving unseaworthiness, | | | | - Falls overboard |
| commercial fishing accidents, and tug and barge | | | | - On-deck injuries |
| accidents. | | | | - Getting caught in equipment |
| Accidents Involving Unseaworthiness | | | | - Fires/explosions on board |
| Federal maritime laws require that ship owners and | | | | Fortunately, injured commercial fishermen are |
| employers provide a “seaworthy” vessel for | | | | covered under U.S. maritime law, so they can seek |
| its crew at all times. If a vessel is determined to be | | | | damages from their employers in many cases. |
| unseaworthy, and it is linked to a seaman’s injury | | | | Negligence is often a cause of these types of |
| (or wrongful death), that worker or his/her loved | | | | accidents. |
| ones can receive compensation for factors such as | | | | Tug and Barge Accidents |
| lost income, pain and suffering, medical costs and | | | | The navigation of today’s tug and barges takes |
| more. | | | | great skill. Otherwise, grave accidents can occur. |
| - For a ship to be deemed seaworthy, it must | | | | Accidents on tug boats often happen because of |
| provide: | | | | factors such as: improper operation of the tug in |
| - A safe environment for all aspects of the | | | | relation to the barge it is towing, faulty tow wires or |
| ship’s voyage and cargo | | | | lines, problems with winch equipment, tripping and |
| - Adequate safety equipment and gear | | | | falling hazards on deck, getting on and off a towed |
| - A sufficiently staffed, competent and adequately | | | | barge, crew or captain error, understaffing, and the |
| trained crew | | | | nature of the stiff stability of a tug boat in rough |
| - Equipment that is maintained, regularly inspected | | | | seas. |
| and functioning appropriately | | | | Likewise, barge accidents can happen because of a |
| Fishing Accidents | | | | faulty vessel design, an unplanned separation of a tug |
| The commercial fishing industry is known for the | | | | and barge, crew error, and hazards that push crew |
| danger it can present for workers. Serious personal | | | | members overboard and into the path of the barge. |
| injury cases are not uncommon, and the yearly rate | | | | Tug and barge accidents are also covered by federal |
| of worker fatality is more than 30 times higher than | | | | maritime laws, like the Jones Act. |
| the average U.S. employee, according to the Bureau | | | | Learn more about maritime personal injury law by |
| of Labor Statistics. | | | | visiting the website of renowned Washington, D.C. |
| From serious brain injury to neck and back injuries, | | | | maritime accident attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, |
| commercial fishermen can be faced with life-altering | | | | Cammarata, & Siegel P.C. |
| consequences from an at-work accident. Just a few | | | | |