Access, Gangway and Ladder Injuries on Boats

At Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC, our award-winning maritime injury lawyers are experienced in handling claims involving injuries on gangways, ladders, and other access points to vessels. Dangerous gangways, ramps, wharfs, or accesses to vessels can lead to serious life-long injuries and are easily prevented by vessel owners and dock operators. There is nothing more basic in the maritime industry than providing safe access to vessels for the crew and passengers.

Under the Jones Act and general maritime law, a vessel owner has an important duty to seamen to furnish safe egress and ingress to the vessel. This means that the vessel must provide access that is reasonably safe. Gangways that are icy, too steep, slippery, defective, poorly lit, too narrow, or otherwise unsafe violate a vessel owner's duty to a seaman attempting to gain access to the vessel. In some cases, specific regulations apply to providing access to vessels and our lawyers may be able to establish a regulatory violation that will lead to a finding of liability in your favor. If you have been injured while attempting to access the vessel or while leaving the vessel, you should consult with an experienced maritime injury lawyer to determine whether you could seek compensation for your injuries from your employer or the owner of the wharf or dock .

In the wake of an injury, it is important to try to obtain photographs of the unsafe gangway, ladder or other equipment involved in your injury. You should also attempt to obtain the contact information for any witnesses. In serious injury cases, an early investigation into the facts of your injury may make the difference between winning or losing the case. Accordingly, it is important that you contact our firm so that we may begin our investigation as soon as possible.

Because our Seattle maritime attorneys are experts in these types of injury cases, we understand maritime law and the equipment that seaman use in their work. We consult with the best expert witnesses in the maritime and fishing industries to aggressively prosecute claims against vessel owners and employers for unsafe working conditions, including unsafe gangways and ladders. By working hard to prepare our cases for trial, we maximize the value of your claim and help you begin to put your life back together after a serious injury.

If you were injured or if a loved one was killed in a boat accident involving a defective, inadequate or poorly maintained gangway or ladder, contact the law offices of Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC, to schedule a free consultation.

At Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC, we carefully screen every maritime personal injury case, choosing to devote our resources to the clients whom we can help the most. As experts in maritime injury law, we have experience in the prosecution of claims involving access, gangway, stair, and ladder injuries on vessels, piers, and in other maritime settings. Contact us today for a free evaluation at 206.624.8844.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with an experienced maritime injury attorney regarding a case that involves maritime law, admiralty law or other workplace personal injury cases, please contact us.