What if I am injured while working on a cargo vessel?
If you are injured while working on a cargo vessel in Washington, you may have legal rights and remedies available under maritime injury law. Maritime injury law is a specialized area of law focused on injuries suffered by workers in occupations related to water transportation, including offshore drilling, shipping, and ocean tourism. In the event of an injury, Washington law allows injured workers to sue the employer or vessel owner for damages. These damages can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and even punitive damages. In order to be eligible for these damages, a worker must prove that their injury is a result of their employer’s negligence. This means that the employer failed to meet a legal obligation related to safety and/or took some action that endangered the safety of workers on the cargo vessel. In some cases, injured workers may be able to seek damages from the federal government if they were injured while working on a cargo vessel carrying out a federal mission or owned by the federal government. In those cases, workers may be eligible for compensation through the Jones Act or other maritime laws. It is important to note that the time limit for bringing a claim or lawsuit for damages due to a maritime injury can vary greatly depending on the circumstances. If you feel you have been injured due to negligence on a cargo vessel in Washington, it is best to seek legal help right away in order to preserve your rights.
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