Can I Sue for Maritime Assault Injuries?
While seamen accept a certain level of risk when they take jobs at sea, they are still entitled to a reasonably safe work environment. Employers owe a duty of care to their employees and that includes the right to be protected from a maritime assault injury. Far too often, seamen and other maritime workers are the victims of physical or sexual assault. Making matters worse, attacks often go unreported because victims don’t know their legal rights. While it can be a challenge to prosecute an attack that happened on seas outside of U.S. jurisdiction, know that general maritime law and the Jones Act do protect seamen and other individuals who are victims of physical and/or sexual assault.
If you are looking for one of the most experienced maritime assault injury attorneys Bellingham and the Pacific Northwest has to offer; contact us today. We have the experience you want on your side.
Common maritime assault injuries
According to maritimeinjuryguide.org, the most common types of assaults that happen on ships include:
- Fights, sometimes as a result of intoxicated or mentally unstable crew members.
- Violent acts including stabbings and shootings
- Sexual assaults
Common injuries caused by maritime assault
The physical, mental and emotional injuries caused by physical and sexual assaults aboard a ship can be life altering. Some victims become permanently or temporarily disabled. When the victim is unable to return to work because they have become disabled, the loss of income adds to the stress around the attack.
Physical and sexual assaults can cause a wide range of injuries but the most common include:
- Soft tissue injuries to neck and back
- Bruises
- Cuts and lacerations
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injury
- Loss of limbs
- Penetrating wounds from assault with a knife or other sharp object
- Emotional trauma, PTSD, anxiety
Recovering damages for a maritime assault injury
A maritime employer has the responsibility to provide a reasonably safe workplace for their employees. This means that preventable accidents and assaults must be avoided. For example, if an employer hires a crewman with a known history of sexual assault or someone with mental health issues and that crewman sexually assaults or physically attacks a coworker then the employer may be deemed negligent and legally liable for the assault. When an employer is negligent, the injured party may be able to recover damages for medical bills, physical and emotional pain, loss of income and more. A family who lost a loved one due to wrongful death may also be entitled to recover damages for their loss.
Seek the help of a maritime assault injury attorney in Bellingham
If you or a loved one was injured due to the reckless/negligent behavior of another seaman or maritime employer, you have enough to deal with. Let an experienced maritime injury attorney fight for justice on your behalf. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a maritime accident lawyer. Call the most experienced practicing maritime assault injury lawyer Bellingham has at Tario & Associates, P.S. today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing grieving family members in Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
