Longview, Washington, located in Cowlitz County along the northside of the Columbia River, is a small city with a big maritime presence dating back over a century. The Port of Longview is home to expansive marine terminal facilities including nine separate berths for commercial ocean-going ships. These busy marine transport hubs move:
Bulk Commodities such as bentonite clay, dried grains, iron oxide fines, oats, petcoke, potash, salt, soda ash, talc, and others
Breakbulk Cargo such as construction materials, mill assembly parts and equipment, pulp, and steel
Specialty Project Cargo such as cranes, heavy lift machinery, wind turbines, turbine blades, and generators
The Port of Longview and facility-related activities employ 11% of the workers in Cowlitz County. The Port provides 1,261 direct jobs, 1,989 induced jobs, 1,495 indirect jobs, and another 14,458 jobs among shippers and shipping-related businesses. The Longview marine transportation sector can generate over $ 2.5 billion in economic activity and $678 million for local businesses. Powering this massive regional economic engine are the dedicated maritime workers of Longview, Washington. These key workers aboard and alongside roll-on roll-off ships, bulk carriers, tugs, barges, and commercial fishing vessels.
Congress has understood the importance of maritime workers for decades. That's why commercial seamen and many shoreside amphibious workers are protected by federal statute. Unfortunately, despite these protections, maritime workers still regularly face unnecessarily dangerous situations in an already perilous industry. When these crucial maritime employees are put in harm’s way while on the job, they should know that they may have a means of compensation under the law. They should also feel assured that they can seek justice for wrongful injuries. Experienced and knowledgeable Longview maritime lawyer Adam Deitz with Mariner Law, PLLC can help clients try to improve their situations after workplace injuries.
Being employed on a busy port like Longview can present a worker with all sorts of risks that may result in injury if someone acts without reasonable care. While some injuries are common, they are usually preventable. These injuries can include:
Falling overboard
Slip and fall accidents
Falling from heights
Amputations
Enclosed space injuries
Chemical burns
Broken bones and extremities
Toxic exposure
Death
If you are a member of the marine transportation industry in Longview , you may have rights to compensation if you were hurt at work. U.S. maritime laws like the Jones Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) give commercial seamen or dockside support workers the opportunity to file claims against culpable vessel owners, employers, and other negligent third parties who may have created conditions that resulted in your unfortunate accident. The maritime common law remedy of Maintenance and Cure may also contribute financial support for room and board as well as medical treatment expenses while an injured seaman recovers from a workplace injury.
Mariner Law, PLLC has specialized maritime lawyer services from an attorney who cares about your circumstances. A skilled admiralty lawyer can be a guide, help navigate the vagaries of the maritime legal system, and advise a path towards maximum compensation. To find out what Mariner Law, PLLC can do to help you or a loved one after a maritime injury or death, call (253) 600-2531 and for a free consultation with a Washington maritime lawyer.