Pacific Longline Co. Injury Claims
Were you injured working as a crewman for Alaska Longline Co. or Prowler Fisheries? Learn about your potential rights to compensation for injuries under federal maritime law and the Jones Act. James Beard, of Trueb Berne & Beard, LLP, is one of the most experienced maritime personal injury law firms in the Pacific Northwest. He has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for injured clients located throughout the United States. Attorney Beard understands you, the job you do working at sea, and knows how accidents can be prevented aboard fishing vessels.
The Prowler Fisheries fleet of five longliners is now located in Seattle, Washington. Their five vessels are the Arctic Prowler, Bering Prowler, Ocean Prowler, Prowler, and Gulf Prowler. The five Prowler vessels fish for Pacific Cod, Black Cod and Turbot in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska. Blue North Fisheries assists in managing the five Prowler vessels.
Injured Fishermen Have A Right To Benefits
Unfortunately, fishermen working for even the best fishing companies sometimes suffer serious and permanent injuries. In almost all cases, injured fishermen have the right to maintenance and cure benefits. This means if you are injured aboard a vessel, your employer must pay your reasonable medical expenses and a daily living allowance until your injuries or medical condition becomes fixed and stable. If you are injured through negligence or unseaworthiness, you are entitled to compensation for past and future lost wages, lost wage earning capacity, pain and suffering, and future medical expenses.
Fish processors working on longline vessels such as the Prowler fleet sometimes work in harsh conditions. The crewmen work extended hours heading and gutting fish, freezing the product and stacking the product in the hold. Crewmen working as deckhands prepare the fishing equipment, utilizing miles of lines baited with baited hooks. Working the hauling stations on head and gut boats is demanding work. Deckhands working at hauling stations on longliners stand at the rail and utilize pole gaffs to bring the fish aboard the boat.
Crewmen injured working for Alaska Longline Co. or Prowler Fisheries may be entitled to benefits under Federal maritime law. In almost all cases, injured crewmen have the right to maintenance and cure benefits and if injured by negligence or unseaworthiness, may be entitled to damages for pain and suffering, lost wages, lost wage earning capacity, and future medical expenses. Under the Jones Act, fish processors aboard fishing vessels are a specially protected class of workers. As a fish processor, you have the right to bring a suit for compensation for injuries caused by your employer’s negligence or by the negligence of a fellow worker. A vessel owner owes a fish processor working aboard their vessel a safe place to work and a duty to provide a seaworthy vessel.
What Should You Do If Injured?
If you have been injured, report your injury to your employer. Don’t accept responsibility for an accident that isn’t your fault. If you have suffered a serious injury, seek medical attention as soon as possible for your injuries. You have the right to be examined and treated by a doctor of your choice. Always accurately explain your injuries to your doctor.
Attorney Beard and his legal team are always on the side of the injured fisherman. They do not represent Alaska Longline Co. or Prowler Fisheries or their insurance carriers. If you need a lawyer on your side to protect your rights, contact Mr. Beard of Trueb Berne & Beard, LLP, for a free initial consultation by calling 425-403-1900 or sending us a message online.