Barges are a critical part of commercial maritime infrastructure, as are the people who work on them. However, working on a barge in the cold waters of the North Pacific Ocean, the Puget Sound or the Gulf of Alaska can be a dangerous job. Many barge workers are hurt in the process of doing their jobs as the result of the negligence of their employer or other crewmember, or because the barge they were on was not seaworthy. Fortunately, those workers have the option of recovering for injuries under federal law.
Attorneys for Barge Workers in Washington, Oregon, California, and Alaska
If you were working on a barge in Washington, Oregon, California, or Alaska and were injured, you may seek compensation for your injury. A dedicated maritime lawyer can help you obtain the recovery you deserve. At Anderson Carey Williams & Neidzwski, LLP, we represent maritime employees who suffered an injury due to negligence or an unseaworthy vessel. Call us at 1-800-262-8529 to schedule a free consultation.
We represent barge workers in federal and state courts throughout the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, Oregon, California, and Alaska.
Info for Injured Barge Workers
Do Barge Workers Qualify Under the Jones Act?
The Jones Act covers any person who is a seaman on a vessel in navigation. It allows a person who has a substantial connection to a vessel and who contributes to its mission or function to seek recovery for injuries suffered due to the negligence of an employer.
Barges tend to work somewhat differently than most ships. Many barges are not self-propelled and depend upon tugboats to move. You may have questions as to whether a barge constitutes a “vessel in navigation.”
Courts have used a broad interpretation of a vessel in navigation. In Stewart v. Dutra Construction Co., the U.S. Supreme Court, citing 1. U.S.C. § 3, ruled that a vessel could constitute any watercraft capable of being used as transportation on the water.
A barge, regardless of whether self-propelled or not, is likely to be considered a vessel if it is used in the transportation of goods or services. This includes:
- Liquid cargo barges
- Dry bulk cargo barges
- Jack-up barges
- Power barges
- Crane barges and derrick barges
- Hopper barges
- Processing barges or “motherships”
- Petroleum barges
What Can You Recover After a Barge Accident?
Jones Act employers, vessel owners, and the vessel in rem, owe barge workers various duties under the Jones Act and general maritime law.
Under the Jones Act, you can recover when your employer failed to act with reasonable care. An employer has a duty to implement procedures that ensure the safety of those working on board and that all employees are properly and sufficiently supervised. The employer has a duty to furnish you with a reasonably safe place to conduct your work under the circumstances.
Under general maritime law, the vessel owner is responsible for ensuring that the barge is seaworthy, meaning it is reasonably fit for its intended purpose. There should be no design flaws, and the barge must be properly maintained. The barge’s crew must also be sufficient and qualified to work on the barge. Too few crewmembers may render the barge unseaworthy.
If the vessel operator failed to exercise reasonable care or the vessel was unseaworthy and you were injured as a result, you may be able to recover for your past and future medical bills, lost wages, lost ability to work, pain and suffering, and the loss of enjoyment of life.
BOATLAW, LLP | Attorneys for Pacific Northwest Barge Workers
If you are a tankerman or other barge worker who was hurt due to your employer’s negligence, contact a skilled attorney to fight for your rights. A dedicated maritime attorney from Anderson Carey Williams & Neidzwski, LLP— serving Washington, Oregon, California, and Alaska and the surrounding waters—can help you seek the recovery you deserve. Call us at 1-800-262-8529 to set up a free no obligation consultation.
