Fishing boat accidents can involve more than the rules that apply to injuries on land. A crew member may be hurt while operating equipment, handling fishing gear, or working on a wet deck, while a passenger may be injured because of unsafe vessel operation. A Memphis fishing boat accident lawyer can determine how the circumstances of the accident affect your claim.
Because maritime law can govern injuries connected to vessels and work on navigable waters, identifying the correct legal framework is an important early step. A dedicated maritime accident attorney at The Law Office of David E. Gordon & Elissa M. Coombs can assess which protections apply before decisions are made about your claim.
What Should an Injured Person Do After a Fishing Boat Accident?
The priority after a fishing boat accident is obtaining appropriate medical care. Some injuries become more apparent after the initial emergency has passed, so a prompt medical evaluation can address health concerns while also creating a record of the injury. The injured person should also report the accident to the vessel owner, captain, or employer when applicable.
After the injured person addresses those immediate needs, they should take practical steps such as:
- Following recommended medical treatment
- Keeping copies of accident and medical records
- Recording the names of available witnesses
- Retaining photographs already taken after the accident
- Reviewing documents carefully before signing them
An experienced fishing boat injury lawyer in Memphis can use the available evidence to identify how the accident occurred, determine who may be responsible, and support the injured person’s claim.
How the Person’s Role Aboard the Vessel Changes the Claim
Once those involved address immediate concerns, the next question is which maritime protections apply. A commercial fisherman or deckhand does not necessarily have the same legal claim as a passenger aboard a charter fishing boat. The nature of the person’s work and connection to the vessel can determine which rights and responsibilities govern the case.
Federal law can give qualifying seamen a basis for pursuing an employer after a work-related injury. Under 46 U.S.C. § 30104, an injured seaman can bring a claim against the employer for injuries suffered in the course of employment.
Passengers and non-crew members may have different claims based on whether the vessel owner or operator failed to use reasonable care. As an experienced fishing boat accident attorney in Memphis, Elissa can assess the injured person’s relationship to the vessel and identify the proper legal framework.
Why Fishing Boat Operations Create Distinct Safety Concerns
The legal analysis also depends on what was happening aboard the vessel when the accident occurred. Fishing work can place deckhands near lines, winches, and other moving machinery. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health identifies vessel disasters, falls overboard, and onboard machinery among significant hazards in commercial fishing.
Those conditions can create several potential sources of responsibility. A Memphis maritime injury attorney may need to examine whether machinery was maintained properly, whether the deck provided a reasonably safe working area, or whether vessel operations exposed the crew to an avoidable hazard.
The cause of the accident therefore matters as much as the resulting injury. Understanding how the vessel was being operated and what work was underway can reveal which party had responsibility for the condition that caused the harm.
Reach Out to a Memphis Attorney About a Fishing Boat Injury Today
Fishing boat accident cases require legal analysis that accounts for the injured person’s role aboard the vessel and the maritime rules governing the accident. A Memphis fishing boat accident lawyer can evaluate those circumstances and determine the appropriate next step.
The Law Office of David E. Gordon & Elissa M. Coombs represents injured maritime workers and others harmed aboard fishing vessels. Contact our firm to discuss your accident and the legal options that may apply. The consultation is free.
