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Commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this occupation sees an average of 128 deaths per 100,000 workers. This is compared to just four deaths per 100,000 workers among all other U.S. occupations. Every year, approximately 58 reported deaths and hundreds of severe injuries occur in this industry.

The Jones Act is a federal statute (46 U.S.C. § 688) that extends the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) to crewmen at sea. This Act enables seamen who have been injured at sea during the course of their employment to bring a personal injury action against their employers. If you have been seriously injured in the course of doing your job at sea, the law firm of Bass & Rubinowitz can help.

When a seaman suffers an injury while on the job, all too often the ship cannot make it back to the harbor immediately and as a result, the injury can worsen because sufficient medical attention cannot be administered. In fact, 10% of all the deaths in the commercial fishing industry occur onboard after the victim suffers an injury. In a great many other cases, the victims are often left permanently disabled and/or disfigured.