Vancouver, Washington—not to be confused with Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada—is a bustling industrial complex. The Port of Vancouver is a United States deep-water port located on the Washington State side of the Columbia River. The port is home to five terminals and one of the largest mobile cranes in the country. The busy piers and wharfs in the area regularly handle heavy and cumbersome cargo such as wind turbine equipment; however the shoreside facilities also process liquid bulk, dry bulk, break bulk, project cargo, roll-on-roll-off cargo, and many others. As an important crossroads in Pacific Northwest marine commerce, the Port of Vancouver typically has more than $270 million in annual revenue. There are many different prosperous businesses and activities going on around the waters of Vancouver, Washington including shipyards, tugboat work, ferries, recreational boat support, and commercial shipping.
Of course, there are always hazards present for the hardworking men and women who are employed in or around major waterways. The Vancouver area has common challenging weather patterns and strong currents, which can create perils for those in the maritime industry. However, maritime employers should take steps to keep workers safe and avoid negligence. When an accident takes place in a maritime work environment, it is important that personal injury victims or the loved ones of a deceased mariner understand their rights to a claim under maritime law. Mariner Law, PLLC is ready to help its clients achieve lawful compensation in such situations.
Employment on the waterways of Vancouver may present conditions that cause injury or illness. If a maritime employer or vessel is negligent and does not maintain proper rules, equipment, and protocols to protect their employees, the employer may become liable for money damages as the result of injury or death on the job. Common but often preventable results of negligence in the maritime industry can include:
Falling overboard
Slips, trips, and falls
Toxic exposure
Enclosed space injuries
Severe burns
Head injuries
Fractures bones and broken extremities
Wrongful Death
There are systems to make compensation available to seamen or shore workers who have been harmed while on the job including the Jones Act, Unseaworthiness, the Longshore Act, and Maintenance and Cure. Maritime law may give victims the chance to file claims against parties responsible for harm, like vessel owners, employers, and others.
At Mariner Law, PLLC, the firm deeply understands the shipping industry and the body of maritime and admiralty law to help guide clients build a strong case and identify their best course of action. Maritime attorney expertise ensures that a broad perspective is brought to maritime matters for the firm's injured clients. To find out what a seasoned Washington maritime lawyer can do to help you or a loved one, call (253) 600-2531 and schedule a no obligation consultation.