Slips and Falls on Tugboats

Working in a marine environment on a tug or barge can be dangerous work and the footing conditions are not always safe. As experienced tug and barge injury lawyers based in the maritime hub of Seattle, Washington, we know what can happen when a maritime tug or barge employer does not provide an adequate non-skid surface or exposes the crew to unreasonably slippery conditions out on deck. Careers of hard-working crew members can end and livelihoods of families can fall into jeopardy. If you have been injured due to a slip or fall on a tugboat or barge, contact one of our award-winning maritime injury lawyers for a free consultation today. We can help answer your questions and evaluate your claim.

Following a slip or fall on a tug or barge, it’s important that you get prompt medical attention to treat your injuries. You have a right to select your own doctor and should be wary of any physician selected by the company. Once your immediate medical issues are addressed, you should promptly fill out an accident report for your employer. Even if you initially believe the injury is minor or will resolve with time without treatment, you should fill out an accident report. Sometimes injuries that initially seem minor turn into career-ending problems. If you don’t fill out an accident report, the tug company lawyers were later claim that the incident did not occur at work. When you fill out the accident report for your tug injury, make certain to address why the injury occurred. What caused the injury? Was there an unsafe condition on the deck that caused you to trip or fall? Was there a foreign substance on the deck like oil? Was the non-skid surface worn down or otherwise inadequate? If possible, try to obtain photographs of the area where you were injured and any of the equipment that played a role in your injury. Obtain the contact information for all witnesses to the accident or who were present on the vessel. Even if other crew members did not directly witness the accident, they may have information about the circumstances surrounding your injury.

The Jones Act provides compensation for injured tug and barge workers. Compensation under the Jones Act may include lost wages, lost earning capacity, and damages for pain, disability, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. The types of damages that you may be able to recover in your Jones Act claim will depend on the particular facts of your injury and only by consulting with an experienced attorney will you be able to better understand your rights. We offer a free consultation for injured tug and barge workers. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

Whether you need a maritime injury lawyer following an accident on a tug or barge will depend on the specific circumstances of the incident, including how you were injured and the severity of the injury. Consulting with a maritime injury attorney does not cost you anything. You should always consult with an experienced maritime injury attorney about an incident if you have questions about your rights. With over 65 years of combined experience, our tug and barge injury lawyers have seen a variety of slip and fall incidents on tugs and barges. Contact us today for a free consultation at 206.624.8844.