Gulf Coast Seamen Injury and Wrongful Death Attorneys
Working as a seaman is often a difficult and rigorous job. As a result, there is always a danger that a seaman could be severely injured or possibly even die due to a hazard at sea or a hazard present on the vessel they work on. Consequently, a victim or a family may have to consider their legal options. Seamen that were severely injured in a tragic accident in the Gulf Coast, should make contact with Gulf Coast seamen injury and wrongful death attorneys.
Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A., understands the pain of losing a loved one in an accident is immeasurable, and we are here for you. Our team of skilled wrongful death attorneys has worked on a variety of complex cases, and we would be honored to represent you and your family. For a confidential consultation at no charge to speak about regarding your possible claim, contact our law offices at (866) 386-1762.
Common Gulf Coast Ship Accidents that Result in Injury or Death
There are dozens of risks associated with the operation of a vessel at sea. If the owner of a vessel does not implement safeguards to keep the crew safe, they could be held liable if a crew member is severely injured or killed. While there are a number of reasons why a ship accident may occur, some reasons are more prevalent than others. The list below contains some common types of ship accident cases that our firm can help you resolve.
Man Overboard
A crew member falling overboard is one of the most dangerous ship accidents that may occur. Not only could a seaman be injured due to hitting the water at a rapid pace, but there are other dangers in the ocean that may possibly lead to the seaman’s death. For example, if a seaman falls overboard during a heavy storm, this will decrease visibility and make it harder to rescue the seaman before they drowned. Additionally, if a person falls overboard during colder weather, there is a risk that a person could experience hypothermia.
Overexposure to Toxic Chemicals
A variety of toxic chemicals may be needed to operate a ship. As a result, it is important to confirm that crew members are provided with proper protective gear and that enclosed spaces are well ventilated to avoid overexposure to toxic chemicals.
Lifeboat Accidents
Seafaring vessels must carry lifeboats in the event that a ship malfunctions, and the crew must evacuate the vessel. To ensure that everything goes smoothly during an emergency, the operator of a ship will often implement lifeboat training drills. However, there are some issues that may arise during lifeboat drills that could cause a seaman to suffer a severe or life-threatening injury.
Slip and Falls
Slip and fall accidents are another common cause of severe and fatal injuries on a ship. Many seamen are required to work at great heights, which makes falling extremely dangerous. In other cases, a slip and fall accident may happen because a seaman tripped over some obstacle that should have been cleaned up.
Slip and fall accidents are also common when a crew is using a gangway that has not been properly maintained. For instance, when the wire ropes of a gangway are unstable, a seaman could easily fall or be thrown from the gangway.
There are several other situations where a ship accident could turn deadly. To learn more about how our firm is here to aid your claim for wrongful death, you should speak with a Gulf Coast wrongful death attorney.
Damages Available for Gulf Coast Wrongful Death Lawsuits
At Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A., we understand that the death of a loved one can change a family forever. After losing a family member in a seafaring accident, it is doubtful that a surviving member of the decedent’s family will want to pursue a lawsuit while they are still grieving. However, pursuing damages for the loss of a loved one can help with many financial burdens that may arise after a family member’s death.
Note that wrongful death lawsuits can only be filed by certain members of a decedent’s family. For example, a surviving spouse or children of a decedent would be permitted to seek a wrongful death lawsuit. However, a distant family member like a second cousin could be barred from pursuing a wrongful death claim as this may allow a person to take advantage of a family member’s death.
If a surviving family member is successful in litigating a wrongful death lawsuit, they can recover the following damages:
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of support
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of fringe benefits
When pursuing wrongful death lawsuits based on maritime law, you should be aware that the claim will be subject to federal law as opposed to state law. Our firm can guide you through any differences that may arise from litigating a federal claim for wrongful death.
Contact Our Experienced Gulf Coast Seamen Injury & Wrongful Death Attorney
If your loved died in an accident at sea, you should contact an experienced Gulf Coast seamen injury and wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A., is committed to fighting for families that lost their loved ones in a ship accident that could have been prevented. To arrange a meeting for your free consultation concerning your wrongful death lawsuit, call (866) 386-1762.
