Who pays compensation to injured dredging workers?

Dredging is a necessary but highly dangerous form of maritime work. Dredges can be used to pull debris and sediment from the bottom of a waterway, excavate or repair seabeds, even collect plants and shellfish. Unfortunately, the specialized equipment on these vessels combined with the risks of working at sea can lead to serious or fatal maritime accidents.

Getting Payment for an Injury Involving Dredging Work

Dredges have a wide range of complex moving parts that need careful maintenance and proper training to prevent injury. If you were involved in an accident on board a dredging ship, you could be owed compensation under:

• The Jones Act. Dredges used in commercial fishing and harvesting may be considered vessels under the Jones Act. This law may provide maintenance and cure payments if you fell overboard, were struck by a crab pot, became entangled in nets or machinery, or suffered a similar injury at sea.
• The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). Some dredges use high-pressure water jets to combat shoreline erosion or make shallow waters deep enough for boats to pass through. A maritime injury near the waterline may be covered by the LHWCA, entitling workers to temporary wage replacement, reimbursement for medical care, and disability payments.
• Workers’ compensation. New York City is surrounded by waterways that regularly require dredging for commerce, maintenance, and construction. Depending on the specifics of your injury, your claim may fall under state worker’s compensation laws.
• An injury lawsuit. If the shipowner fell short of its duty of care to workers on the vessel, you may be able to file a negligence lawsuit.

Contact Our Maritime Accident Attorneys Today

If you or someone you love has been hurt at sea, you should contact the qualified maritime injury attorneys at Hofmann & Schweitzer as soon as possible to learn your legal rights. Call 1-800-3-MAY-DAY today or download your complimentary copy of Are You a Seaman Injured in a Maritime Accident? Know Your Rights.