The Port of Bristol Bay in Nanek, Alaska is an extremely valuable harbor in the United States. Located in the Southwestern area of the state, the Port’s value is about $200 million and continues growing. All kinds of types and sizes of cargo are handled there. Gillnetters and Fish Tender boats are the most common in the area, supporting commercial, subsistence, and recreational fishing that reels in hundreds of millions of dollars each year and creates thousands of jobs.
The ecological value of Bristol Bay is massive, and thus it is vitally important to keep the area’s workforce in swing. Some describe the environmental conditions of Bristol Bay as a war zone - but there are protections that employers can put in place to protect seafarers against serious injuries. There are several federal statutes and ancient common laws that may apply to protect ship crew or dock workers in the event of injury or illness. An experienced Bristol Bay maritime lawyer from Mariner Law, PLLC can be of service.
Maritime workers who suffer severe injuries and even death as the result of vessel negligence or unseaworthiness are entitled to compensation under general maritime law and the Jones Act. Mariner Law, PLLC represents clients who work in Bristol Bay and beyond on a variety of maritime personal injury cases. If you have been injured by any of the following circumstances (or others that are unlisted), you may be entitled to benefits:
Going overboard
Slip-and-fall injuries
Injuries in tight spaces
Burns
Injuries from repetitive motion
Docks and wharf injuries
Broken bones
Negligence
Exposure to toxic chemicals
Death
Under the Jones Act, seamen and offshore workers can get a claim for an injury if the worker proves some negligence or fault on the part of the vessel’s owners, operators, officers, or fellow mariners. Additionally, Maintenance and Cure entitles any injured seamen to medical bill reimbursement and help with living expenses while the maritime employee is recovering from an injury suffered in service of the vessel. Almost all accidents at sea are preventable with the utilization of reasonable safety precautions and preventative maintenance. Mariner Law, PLLC understands the injury claims processes in place and has expertise on how to use the Jones Act, Unseaworthiness, and Maintenance and Cure to the mariner's advantage. Speak with an offshore injury lawyer now.
If you suffered a life-changing injury because of a workplace accident on or around the water, there are robust laws that may be available to help you get adequate recompense. To find out what Mariner Law, PLLC can do to help you or a loved one, call (253) 600-2531 today and schedule a consultation with an Alaska Jones Act attorney without cost.