Fish Processor Injury Claims Lawyers

James Beard and his partners at Trueb Berne & Beard, LLP, have represented hundreds of fish processors who were injured while working aboard fishing vessels in Alaska, Oregon and Washington. They have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for their clients located throughout the United States. They have the extensive experience necessary to get injured fish processors fair and complete compensation for their injuries.

Alaska fish processors work long hours under frequent adverse weather conditions. Fish processors are exposed to the constant risk of severe and permanent injuries if proper safety procedures are not followed and if unsafe equipment is used. Under Federal law, an employer of a fish processor owes each crewman a duty to provide a safe place to work and a seaworthy vessel. Because of the known dangers associated with working as a fish processor, the employer and vessel owner owe a special duty to protect crewmen from being injured. Profits should never be given a priority over crewman safety.

In almost all cases, an injured fish processor is entitled to have all reasonable and necessary medical bills paid and is also entitled to a daily living allowance while recovering from an injury. When a fish processor is injured working at sea through negligence or unseaworthiness, he or she may be entitled to additional compensation for pain and suffering, lost earnings, loss of future earnings, loss of enjoyment of life, future medical care and vocational retraining.

Millions Recovered In Compensation For Alaska Fish Processors

Representing injured fish processors requires unique legal skills and understanding gained only through years of experience. Beard and his partner Lanning Trueb of Trueb Berne & Beard, LLP, have represented crewmen injured in nearly every aspect of the fishing industry, including accidents for masters, mates, deckhands, combi, and fish processors. They have successfully brought legal cases involving equipment failure, lack of safety guards, improper training, excessive hours of work, slip-and-falls, freezer holds, skinning machines, badders, toyos, conveyor belts, plate freezers, blast freezers, pan ejectors, fish headers, bait cutters, cargo handling, fork lifts, grinders, fire and explosions, hooks and cranes, cables, winches, and excessive lifting. They have recovered compensation for fish processors who have suffered brain injury, amputations, back and neck injuries, shoulder and arm injuries, hand and wrist injuries, knee injuries including ACL and meniscus injuries, foot and ankle fractures, RSD and CRPS, psychological injuries, burn injuries, and hearing and vision loss.

Beard has filed suits and successfully obtained recovery against almost all of Alaska’s biggest fishing companies, including Icicle Seafoods, American Seafoods, Fishing Company of Alaska, Trident Seafoods, Glacier Fish Co., Arctic Storm, Clipper Seafoods, Aleutian Spray Fisheries , Iquique, U.S Seafoods, Ocean Peace, O’Hara Corp., Premier Pacific Seafoods and Coastal Villages.

We Know The Industry And The Law

Working as a fish processor aboard Bering Sea factory trawlers is one of the most difficult and dangerous jobs in the world. Experienced processors can earn far money working at sea than they could ever earn at a shoreside job. Fish processing is far too tough for the average worker. For other workers, working as a fish processor is a perfect fit. The physical demands of these jobs require crewmen to be physically and mentally tough. Injuries that impact their physical abilities may place them and their fellow crewmen at risk for further injuries.

There is no dispute that fish processors working at sea aboard factory trawlers and motherships qualify for benefits under federal maritime law. Fish processors who work at sea are, in almost all cases, Jones Act seamen. However, some of the largest Alaska fishing companies provide coverage to fish processor under the Alaska workers’ compensation system. An injured fish processor who has suffered serious and permanent injuries should consult with an experienced and qualified maritime injury lawyer to compare legal options and compensation available under federal law with what compensation they may receive under the Alaska workers’ compensation system. In cases where injuries are caused by negligence or unseaworthiness, a fish processor will usually have a much greater right to benefits and compensation under the Jones Act than under the Alaska workers’ compensation system.

Our Attorneys Have Over 80 Combined Years Of Experience Handling Fish Processor Injury Accident Claims

Attorney Beard of Trueb Berne & Beard, LLP, is recognized as one of the leading Northwest maritime injury lawyers representing Alaska, Washington and Oregon fish processors. Mr. Beard has a thorough understanding of the type of jobs that are done aboard fish processing vessels. He understands how your injuries will impact your ability to continue to do your job in the future.

Mr. Beard and his partner Lanning Trueb represent injured fish processors on a contingency fee basis. Hiring a lawyer on a contingency fee basis means you pay the lawyer no attorney fee unless he wins your case and gets you compensation. Contact Trueb Berne & Beard, LLP, for a free consultation to discuss your injury claim: call 425-403-1900 or fill out our online contact form today.