Spagnoletti Law Firm has filed a Jones Act lawsuit on behalf of a seaman who suffered serious injuries while working aboard a commercial fishing vessel. The lawsuit alleges that negligence, unsafe working conditions, and an unseaworthy vessel led to a preventable accident, leaving the plaintiff with long-term injuries.
Incident Overview
On July 8, 2019, the injured fisherman was working aboard a commercial fishing vessel as a co-captain and crew member. While the vessel was returning to shore through the Gulf of Mexico, the plaintiff sustained severe injuries to his left hand when it was crushed by a rope during operations on the vessel.
The lawsuit asserts that the plaintiff’s injuries were not caused by any fault of his own, but instead resulted from hazardous conditions aboard the vessel, inadequate safety precautions, and negligence in maintaining the vessel and its equipment.
Vessel Owner Responsibilities Toward Jones Act Fishermen
Under the Jones Act, vessel owners and operators have a legal obligation to provide a safe working environment for their crew, including fishermen and deckhands. Given the hazardous nature of commercial fishing, vessel owners must take extra precautions to ensure that all operations are conducted safely and that workers are not placed in unnecessary danger.
One of the most fundamental duties of a vessel owner is to ensure that the vessel is seaworthy—meaning it is properly maintained, equipped, and staffed with a competent crew. A vessel is considered unseaworthy if it has defective equipment, lacks necessary safety measures, or is operated in an unsafe manner. In this case, the lawsuit claims that deficiencies in vessel maintenance and equipment safety directly contributed to the plaintiff’s injuries.
In addition, vessel employers must provide proper training and supervision for all crew members. Commercial fishing vessels often operate under dangerous conditions, with heavy machinery, ropes, and pulleys under high tension. Without the right training, safety protocols, and oversight, workers are at increased risk of serious injury or death. The lawsuit alleges that insufficient crew training and a lack of adequate supervision contributed to the unsafe conditions aboard the vessel.
Furthermore, vessel owners are responsible for conducting regular safety inspections and correcting hazardous conditions before they cause harm. This includes inspecting ropes, pulleys, winches, and other critical equipment to ensure they are in proper working order. Failure to identify and fix these hazards before they cause an accident can result in serious legal liability under the Jones Act.
Allegations of Negligence and Unseaworthiness
The lawsuit claims that multiple safety failures contributed to the plaintiff’s injuries, including:
- Failure to provide a properly trained and adequate crew to ensure safe vessel operations.
- Failure to maintain the vessel and its equipment, leading to unsafe conditions.
- Failure to implement reasonable safety precautions, exposing the plaintiff to unnecessary risks.
- Failure to conduct routine inspections and equipment checks, allowing hazardous conditions to persist.
- Failure to provide a safe working environment, making the vessel unseaworthy under maritime law.
The lawsuit alleges that these failures directly led to the accident, creating conditions that made it impossible for the plaintiff to perform his job safely.
Contact Spagnoletti Law Firm for Maritime Injury Claims
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to unsafe vessel conditions, inadequate crew training, or employer negligence, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit under the Jones Act and general maritime law. The attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm have extensive experience handling cases involving unseaworthy vessels, maritime injuries, and unsafe working conditions at sea.
To learn more about your legal options, contact us online or call 713-804-9306 for a free consultation. There are strict deadlines for filing maritime injury claims, so don’t wait to take action.