Injured While Boarding Or Exiting A Vessel

The shipowner’s liability for the care and safety of seamen, fishermen or water workers on a ship, boat or barge doesn’t end on deck.

Liability for medical care, maintenance and cure, and financial damages can also extend to injury or death suffered while boarding or exiting a ship on the gangplank or on the docks. If the seaman or longshoreman can show that the injuries on land resulted from an accident directly related to maritime responsibilities, a valid claim may be filed under U.S. maritime law.

What If Your Shipowner Tries To Blame You?

For centuries, shipowners have tried to blame seamen for injuries onboard their vessels.

The Jones Act of 1920 ushered in a new era of shipboard, gangplank and dockside regulations to protect crew members from shipowner negligence and unseaworthy vessels. Under provisions of the Jones Act, a vessel owner cannot hide behind seaman error to blame the victim.

The law is clear: If a vessel owner ignored a statute, the court will rule that the statute violation trumps the comparative fault of the injured seaman.

Leaders In Maritime Law

The Law Offices of Cavin and Marks, Jr. & Associates, has played a leading role in pioneering areas of liability claims for plaintiffs injured in maritime injuries.

Since attorney Lyle Cavin opened our doors in 1970, we have earned national recognition for our intelligent strategies and successful efforts to help protect the rights of seamen, fishermen and waterway workers through the nation. Our efforts have resulted in numerous multimillion-dollar-mediated settlements and jury awards on behalf of injured seamen, maritime workers and their families.

Contact Us For A Free Consultation

If you were injured while boarding or exiting a vessel, contact us to arrange a consultation with one of our experienced maritime and harbor worker injury lawyers today. Call us at 510-291-4743 or 888-340-7991. From our offices in Oakland, California, we represent maritime workers injured in port and waterway cities throughout the United States and territories.