Many Alaskans make a living working on ships and seagoing vessels. Whether a maritime worker works out at sea for days, weeks or months at a time or spends most workdays inland or near the shore, maritime jobs are some of the most dangerous jobs a person can take on in the world. Many maritime workers and their families are impacted by these dangers when serious and fatal accidents occur.
Wrongful death at sea
It can be difficult having a spouse, parent or loved one work in a dangerous field. Due to maritime workers facing a constant risk of injury or death each day on the job, specialized federal laws are in place to better protect these workers.
At Trueb Berne & Beard, LLP, our law firm is well versed in the federal maritime laws that protect maritime workers and their loved ones. Thus, we are committed to helping family members understand their rights and options when it comes to filing a wrongful death at sea action after a loved one was killed in a maritime accident.
Maritime law
Federal maritime law establishes that all maritime employers must provide the crew working on their vessel with a safe place to work. It is further asserted that all ships, tugboats, barges, fishing vessels and other forms of vessels must be in seaworthy condition. This means that it not only needs to be properly designed and equipped to operate as it was designed to, but it must also be maintained properly.
Unfortunately, the safety of the crew often comes below the profits of the vessel, which is too often the main and only concern of the employer. As such, this can lead to maritime workers working in unsafe conditions, having inadequate training and a lack of safety procedures and equipment on board. These negligent acts could be the cause of a fatal maritime accident.
The loss of a loved one is a devastating event, especially when it was due to the negligence of another party. If you believe that a fatal maritime accident was caused by a negligent employer, it is possible to move forward with a wrongful death at sea action. This could assist with the recovery of compensation, addressing lost wages, medical bills and other damages related to the incident.