Crab Boat Accidents

Stacey & Jacobsen, PLLC has been representing injured crab fishermen in Alaska, Washington and Oregon for 25 years. They understand crab fishing, they know how accidents happen aboard crab boats, and they know how those accidents could have been prevented.

Stacey & Jacobsen, PLLC understands you, your work, and know how your injuries may limit your ability to work as a fisherman in the future. They have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for crab fishermen located throughout the United States. They have gained experience and knowledge through handling high profile fishing vessel sinking cases like the ALASKA RANGER, KATMAI, OCEANIC, ARCTIC ROSE, ALEUTIAN ENTERPRISE, PACE SETTER, LIN J, VESTFJORD, AMBER DAWN, PACIFIC APOLLO, NESIKA, and many more. They have represented crewmen in claims involving all aspects of crab boats including, crab blocks, bait choppers, line coilers, line bins, icing, picking booms, pot launchers, stacking pots, crab sorting tables, circulating sea water systems, hatches, alarms, navigation, ladders, discharge chutes, and more.

Crewmen working on crab fishing vessels are protected by the Jones Act and Federal maritime law when they are injured. In almost all cases, a seaman is entitled to maintenance and cure. If a crab boat deckhand is injured through negligence or unseaworthiness, he is entitled to compensation for past and future lost wages, lost wage earning capacity, pain and suffering, medical expenses, and retraining expenses. Most accidents aboard crab fishing vessels are preventable if proper safety precautions are followed. Working in excessive weather, with defective equipment or with inexperienced crew, increases the likelihood of injury.

Crewmen working on crab boats can be highly paid. Unfortunately career ending injuries occur sometimes on even the best crab fishing boats. When those accidents happen, crewmen are entitled to full and complete compensation for how those injuries will impact them for the remainder of their lives. If you have been seriously injured, an experienced maritime personal injury lawyer can help protect your rights. Your maritime employer owes you a duty to provide a reasonably safe place to work and a seaworthy vessel. If your employer is claiming the accident is your own fault, it’s time to contact a maritime lawyer experienced in handling crab fishing accidents. Don’t be fooled, marine insurance adjusters work for the insurance companies and attempt to limit the amount of compensation you will be paid for your injuries. Many seriously injured crewmen are disappointed they wait many months to learn that the marine insurance company’s promise of a fair settlement doesn’t provide them full compensation. Marine insurance companies take advantage of injured crewmen’s lack of understanding of maritime law and how pain and suffering damages and compensation for lost wages should be calculated.

If you have questions about your rights to compensation under the Jones Act and the general maritime law, contact Stacey & Jacobsen, PLLC for a free initial consultation.