Hand Crush Injuries

Hand Crush Injury Lawyer – Protecting Maritime Workers in Seattle, the Pacific Northwest, and Alaska

A hand crush injury is one of the most devastating injuries a maritime or industrial worker can face. In the Pacific Northwest and Alaska fishing fleets, hands are constantly at risk from heavy machinery, hydraulic gear, mooring lines, and other powerful equipment. One brief moment of inattention, an equipment malfunction, or unsafe work practice can lead to life-changing injuries.

At MarineInjuryLaw.com, based in Seattle, we represent maritime workers from Puget Sound to Dutch Harbor. Whether your injury happened on a Washington State Ferry, a tugboat in Elliott Bay, a crab boat in the Bering Sea, or in a Port of Seattle shipyard, our attorneys have the experience and resources to fight for your rights under the Jones Act, unseaworthiness claims, and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA).

Why Hand Crush Injuries Are So Serious

The human hand is an intricate structure of bones, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels. A crushing injury can cause severe, permanent damage—sometimes ending a maritime career. Even with advanced surgery, recovery may take months or years, and in some cases full function never returns.

Long-term effects may include:

• Permanent loss of grip strength
• Reduced dexterity and mobility
• Chronic pain or nerve damage
• Disfigurement or scarring
• Psychological trauma from loss of function
• Partial or full amputation

For fishermen, deckhands, engineers, and longshoremen, the ability to grip, lift, and maneuver equipment is critical. Losing that ability can end a career on the water.

Common Causes of Hand Crush Injuries in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska Maritime Industry

In Seattle’s bustling maritime industry and the rugged fishing grounds of Alaska, hand crush injuries often occur due to:

• Winch and capstan accidents – Common on crab boats and longliners working out of Dutch Harbor or Kodiak, where lines and drums operate under extreme tension.
• Mooring line incidents – On Puget Sound tugs, ferries, and container ships, lines can snap back with lethal force.
• Fishing gear entanglements – Pots, trawl doors, seine blocks, and other heavy gear used in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea.
• Cargo handling accidents – At the Port of Seattle or Port of Tacoma, during crane, hatch, or forklift operations.
• Shipyard and dry dock machinery accidents – From hydraulic presses to welding equipment in maritime repair facilities along the Duwamish River.
• Improper safety procedures – Lack of PPE, inadequate training, or fatigued crew working long Alaska seasons.

Legal Rights for Maritime Workers With Hand Crush Injuries

Depending on your job and where the injury occurred, you may have multiple legal remedies.

The Jones Act

If you are a seaman working on a vessel—such as a tugboat on the Columbia River, a ferry in Puget Sound, or a factory trawler in the Bering Sea—you may sue your employer for negligence. Compensation can include:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Pain, suffering, and mental anguish

Unseaworthiness Claims

If unsafe equipment, inadequate crew, or defective gear caused your injury, you may have an unseaworthiness claim against the vessel owner.

Maintenance and Cure

Regardless of fault, injured seamen are entitled to daily living expenses and full medical coverage until they reach maximum medical improvement.

Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)

If you work in a port or shipyard—like Terminal 18 in Seattle, the Port of Tacoma, or Everett’s maritime facilities—you may be covered by the LHWCA, which provides wage replacement, medical care, and rehabilitation benefits.

Medical Treatment for Hand Crush Injuries

Workers injured in remote Alaska fisheries may need to be medevaced to Anchorage, Seattle, or Bellingham for emergency treatment. In many cases, treatment includes:

• Surgery to repair bones, tendons, and nerves
• Skin grafts or reconstructive procedures
• Physical therapy to restore movement
• Occupational therapy for work-related skills
• Prosthetics if amputation is required
• Long-term pain management

Our legal team works closely with medical experts to ensure your claim covers all current and future care needs.

Steps to Take After a Hand Crush Injury

1. Get immediate medical attention – Time is critical, especially in remote Alaska where transport delays can worsen injuries.
2. Report the incident – Notify your captain, supervisor, or port manager.
3. Document the scene – Take photos of equipment, vessel conditions, and your injury.
4. Avoid signing employer documents – Do not sign statements or settlements without legal advice.
5. Contact a Seattle maritime injury lawyer – The sooner we are involved, the stronger your case will be.

Why Choose MarineInjuryLaw.com

• Deep local knowledge – We know the maritime industry in Seattle, Puget Sound, and Alaska.
• Proven results – Multi-million-dollar recoveries for injured seamen, longshoremen, and fishermen.
• Experience in remote injury cases – From Bering Sea vessels to Columbia River towboats.
• No recovery, no fee – We work on a contingency basis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact a Hand Crush Injury Lawyer in Seattle Today

If you suffered a hand crush injury while working in Seattle, Puget Sound, or Alaska, contact MarineInjuryLaw.com today. Our attorneys know the risks of working in one of the world’s most dangerous industries—and how to win cases against powerful vessel owners and maritime employers.

Call now for a free consultation or fill out our online form to get started.

Serving Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Bellingham, Puget Sound Ports, and Alaska Fishing Communities Including Dutch Harbor, Kodiak, and Naknek.