Fourchon Shrimping Boat Accident Lawyer
The shrimping industry is a demanding one. It requires hard work and involves a good amount of risk, including the potential to fall overboard, become tangled in nets, or having limbs accidentally amputated. Unfortunately, owners of shrimping companies can become quite focused on their profits and success, risking the safety of their employees and crew in the process.
Shrimping company owners and boat captains have a legal obligation to the crew on board to decide when it is safe or unsafe to be on the water. If you or a loved one believe that an owner or captain has put your safety at risk causing an injury, you may benefit from discussing your case with a Fourchon shrimping boat accident lawyer. A skilled commercial fishing attorney could help you recover compensation for your injuries.
Causes of Shrimping Boat Accidents
According to the Centers for Disease Prevention & Control (CDC), commercial fishing industry workers have the greatest occupational fatality and injury rates in the entire country. Common causes of accidents in the shrimping industry include:
- Drowning from vessels sinking, capsizing, or workers falling overboard
- Becoming entangled in machinery and nets
- Being injured by winches and other heavy equipment
- Being exposed to harmful substances or environments such as contact with electric currents
- Inhaling toxic substances
- Poor weather conditions
Protection Under Federal Law
Victims who are injured in shrimping boat accidents while working have protection under the Jones Act and general maritime law Prospective plaintiffs should contact a shrimping boat accident lawyer in Fourchon to find out more about how these laws may apply to their case.
Jones Act
The Jones Act, also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. is another federal law that gives protection to workers in the shrimp boat industry.
While the majority of this act covers issues related to maritime commerce, it also provides sailors with legal rights such as the ability to seek damages from their employers, crew, captain, or shipowners for their damages from an injury. This Act also gives workers in the industry the right to sue in both federal or state courts.
Getting Help from a Fourchon Shrimping Boat Accident Attorney
Qualified Fourchon shrimping boat accident lawyers should be dedicated to providing sound legal advice and strong representation to all potential clients. Their job is to hold them accountable to you and to the law.
If your employer has put you at risk and caused your injuries, they should pay for your medical expenses, lost income, and your pain and suffering. To learn more about your legal rights and options after a shrimping boat accident, schedule a consultation today.