Commercial Fishing Accident Lawyers

Our Attorneys Have Been Handling Commercial Fishing Accident Claims For Over 50 years

Our maritime accident lawyers at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. have more than 200 years of combined legal experience since we opened the firm in 1971. We are America’s leading maritime ensuring an accident law firm, with 15 full-time lawyers across our eight nationwide office locations. Four of our attorneys have been named to “Best Lawyers” ® and we have recovered more than $450 million for our clients over the last 50 years. It is no surprise that Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. were named “Lawyer of the Year” ® in Admiralty and Maritime (Miami) and to “Best Law Firms” ® by US News & World Report for nearly 10 years.

Whether you were a crewmember, passenger, or captain aboard a commercial fishing boat, we understand how overwhelmed you must be feeling in the aftermath of your injuries. You do not need to feel intimidated with our commercial fishing accident attorneys fighting for your rights. Founding attorney Charles Lipcon has handled a significant number of landmark maritime injury cases successfully that changed the way the United States litigates maritime claims like these. We have also appeared on multiple talk shows and nationwide news programs as expert guests regarding maritime injury and commercial fishing accident claims. You can breathe easier knowing your commercial fishing accident lawyer at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. have recovered more than $450 million for our clients, handled more than 3,000 cases in our careers, and are now advocating for your rights to total financial relief.

Continue reading to learn more about how the maritime injury claims process works and how our firm can ensure you receive their compensation for your suffering. Call today for a 100% free consultation so we can put our unparalleled success to work on your case.

Common Commercial Fishing Accidents

• Collisions
• Falls overboard
• Capsizing
• Grounding
• Machinery incidents
• Engine room fires
• Slips and falls
• Amputations

Who Is Liable In A Commercial Fishing Accident?

Liability for accidents and injuries on commercial fishing vessels ultimately is the responsibility of the vessel’s owners and operators. Fishermen are expected to practice basic safety procedures, but it is incumbent upon owners and operators to maintain a safe and seaworthy vessel. A failure to properly maintain the vessel may amount to negligence. There is a limitless number of ways that a vessel owner can be held responsible, but every way has its basis in the failure to use reasonable care under the circumstances.

Companies We Have Sued

• American Seafoods — largest at-sea processor of Wild Alaska Pollock
• Icicle Seafoods, Inc. — seafood-processing services throughout Alaska, both on- and off-shore

What Damages Can You Recover?

If you are injured in a commercial fishing accident, you may be entitled to recover significant compensation. Under maritime law, a shipowner is required to financially care for a seaman who becomes ill or injured as a result of their employment. This is called maintenance and cure. Under the Jones Act, a ship worker who is injured due to the fault of the employer is entitled to compensation for injuries, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity. In our experience, commercial fishermen are high-wage earners, and as such, the lost wage component, and lost future wage earning capacity component alone can be in the millions of dollars.

Compensation For Commercial Fishing Accidents

The “maintenance” part of Maintenance and Cure refers to a seaman’s right to food and lodging. It is intended to cover daily living expenses, including mortgage or rent, utilities, and food. “Cure” means medical expenses. A seaman injured on the job is entitled to have the owner or operator of the vessel cover the costs of medical care. Cure may also include reimbursement of prescription costs, medical equipment, and travel to and from doctor visits. Failure to provide Maintenance and Cure to an injured commercial fisherman can have serious consequences for the employer, including punitive damages and attorney’s fees being awarded against them.

What To Do When You’re Injured In A Commercial Fishing Accident?

1. Seek medical attention for your injuries as soon as possible. Out on the ocean, it can be a difficult task to get proper medical attention. Many vessels are not equipped with medical facilities; and doctors, hospitals, and emergency crews may be hours away. It can be tempting to downplay or ignore a minor injury, but you should visit a doctor or emergency room to get checked out as soon as you are able. Even if you are on the high seas, your employer has a well-established to immediately get you the medical care you need.
2. Inform your employer about your injury. You should at a minimum let your supervisor know about your injury and the circumstances leading up to it as soon as possible. It’s a good idea to write down your recollections of what happened and provide your employer with a copy.
3. Gather supporting evidence. If possible, take photos or video of the area in which your accident occurred and any dangerous conditions present there. Also, get contact information for witnesses.
4. Don’t say anything, and don’t sign anything. Aside from the initial report of your injury, avoid discussing it with your employer or other workers, and don’t sign any documents until you’ve consulted a lawyer.
5. Get legal help. Maritime laws are complex and unique. Dealing with them requires a knowledgeable and experienced maritime lawyer like you’ll find at LM&W.

Our Award-Winning Commercial Fishing Accident Attorneys Help Injury Victims Recover Fair Compensation and Rebuild Their Lives

Our commercial fishing accident lawyers at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. have over 200 years of legal experience handling maritime injury claims and personal injury lawsuits. Four of our attorneys have been selected as “Best Lawyers” ® in America and we have been named to “Best Law Firms” ® by US News & World Report every year since 2016. We have successfully assisted hundreds of commercial fishermen and commercial fishing boat crew members in recovering the compensation they are entitled to.

Let us get to work on your case right away. If you or a loved one has suffered critical or fatal injuries in a commercial fishing accident, and you are unsure of what your next steps should be, do not hesitate. Our team is ready to offer you the legal support you need to get through these difficult times. Contact our office through our quick contact form or by phone at 877–233–1238 to connect with a compassionate and experienced maritime injury attorney and schedule your free consultation today.