The Bering Sea, located in the North Pacific and bordered on the east and northeast by Alaska, is one of the most productive areas for fisheries in the world. It covers more than two million square kilometers between Alaska and Russia and supports year-round maritime activities. With the Bering Sea’s distinct biodiversity, fish and shellfish such as king crab, opilio and tanner crabs, Bristol Bay salmon, halibut, and pollock are caught and sold from the area, producing $1 billion worth of seafood annually. Major fish processing plants in the Bering Sea region are located in Dutch Harbor, Saint Paul, and Akutan. The Bering Sea also hosts cruise ships for exploring tourists.
It is no surprise that the conditions on the Bering Sea are often rough and the climate and waters can be extremely freezing. Water levels can rise nearly 30 feet during the fishing season, and there are high winds. Due to the nature of these environments, maritime workers face very dangerous circumstances while at work. Crewmen need full support and safety while they labor in the profitable yet treacherous waters of the Bering Sea, and there are several federal laws that can be protective in the event of injury or illness. An experienced Bering Sea maritime lawyer from Mariner Law, PLLC can help if injury occurs.
Maritime employees that are harmed due to negligence or unseaworthiness from their employers can seek compensation through the policies in the Jones Act and general maritime law. Mariner Law, PLLC is offshore injury counsel representing a range of clients in admiralty law cases who work in the Bering Sea area. If you have been hurt by any of the following, you may be entitled to money damages:
Falling overboard
Slip, trip, and fall accidents
Injuries in tight and enclosed spaces
Chemical burns
Repetitive use injuries
Docks and pier injuries
Fractured bones and extremities injuries
Negligence and maritime accidents
Exposure to toxins
Wrongful death
Under the Jones Act, seamen have a claim for an injury or death if there is negligence or fault on the part of the vessel’s owners, operators, officers, or fellow crewmates. The centuries-old Maintenance and Cure doctrine allows these maritime employees to receive medical expenses, wages, and room and board expenses during their recovery from an injury in service of the vessel. Accidents at sea are often preventable as long as safeguards are in place. An offshore attorney at Mariner Law, PLLC understands the system and has knowledge on how to take full advantage of the Jones Act, Unseaworthiness, and Maintenance and Cure claims.
If you are facing a serious injury because of a work-related shipboard accident, there are powerful maritime laws that may entitle you to receive fair money damages. To find out what a Mariner Law, PLLC Alaska Jones Act lawyer can do to assist, call (203) 600-2531 today and ask for a free consultation with an admiralty attorney.