Shipping is an important part of the Washington State economy. Seattle is the fourth-largest shipping container gateway in North America. Many of those who work on cargo ships and cargo barges in Seattle and Tacoma live in surrounding areas such as Graham.
If you were injured in a shipping or boating accident, the lawyers at Herschensohn Law are ready to help you. We can determine a suitable way to recover damages, the amount of compensation you deserve, and who was responsible for your injuries. To explore your legal options, call our Graham shipping and boating accident lawyers at (206) 588-4344. The initial consultation is free with no obligation.
After your accident, the last thing you want to worry about is whether you can afford legal fees. You shouldn’t forgo legal action because of concerns about cost. So, we offer our help on a contingency-fee basis.
In this arrangement, you don’t have to pay a dime out of pocket. A portion of your personal injury settlement pays for our services. You don’t pay us anything if your case doesn’t yield damages. As noted, you can learn about this during your free case review.
But what does this entail? When you call Herschensohn Law, you begin a no-obligation conversation where you discuss your case with our legal team. Here, you can ask questions, voice concerns, and get a feel for our lawyers. If we’re a good fit, we can break ground on your case immediately.
After a barge accident, you’ll quickly learn that the laws surrounding these situations are complex. It can be difficult to properly file a claim, especially if you try to handle the situation yourself.
Our lawyers can help you understand your options for moving forward after learning the facts of your case. You could:
Maritime workers are not eligible for workers’ compensation in the same way as those who work on land are. To ensure that maritime workers recover the compensation they deserve, the government created the Jones Act.
To be eligible for the Jones Act, you must:
If you meet these qualifications and you are involved in a boating or shipping accident, you could have the right to sue your employer and pursue damages. Compensable losses in a Jones Act case include medical bills, full payment for your lost income, and pain and suffering.
In many cases, an injured worker will be eligible for benefits under the Jones Act and not know. Our team can help you determine if you qualify.
Per the U.S. Department of Labor, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) covers longshoremen, ship-repairers, and harbor construction workers. You do not need to prove negligence to recover these benefits.
If you’re injured, then you can file a claim under the LHWCA. This allows you to recover compensation for damages in the same manner as those who collect under regular workers’ compensation. The damages covered include:
Keep in mind that these benefits do not cover the full cost of your injury-related expenses. For instance, while you can seek compensation for lost income, this program only covers two-thirds of your average weekly wages. This could make it difficult to pay bills and maintain your quality of life in the face of a serious injury.
Our team can explore all of your options and manage the process going forward.
“Very knowledgeable and trustworthy. Zach Herschensohn provided me with excellent service. He kept me well informed and explained complicated issues in a way I could understand. He took the lead and guided me through everything necessary to achieve a successful outcome. Overall, I am very pleased with his service and would highly recommend him to anyone.”
“Herschensohn Law worked by my side for almost four years when I was in an auto accident and were outstanding in everything they did! They went above and beyond to make my lawsuit as easy and stress free as possible for me while consistently showing genuine care for my wellbeing. They even recommended amazing health care professionals for my injuries! Anything/everything I may have been confused/concerned about was addressed/explained so I felt comfortable with each move made in my lawsuit. Professional, courteous and attentive are just a few words I would use to describe this law firm and although I hope to never be in a similar situation again - if I do, Herschensohn Law will be my first call!”
“Zach and his team performed beyond my expectations! I couldn't have had a better firm in my corner!”
“This was such a great experience.”
“Zach will always take time and give you quality advice that you can trust. Highly recommended!”
A settlement or court award could offer full compensation for your injury-related losses. Ultimately, your individual compensable losses depend on your situation. They could comprise:
Economic damages are the losses caused by the accident that directly impact you financially. They include:
These damages are relatively easy to determine because they often have bills, receipts, or pay stubs. Yet, we may consult with financial experts to ensure our calculations are correct.
Non-economic damages cover more than just your financial losses. While these damages do not have distinct monetary values associated with them, they acknowledge certain aspects of your situation. You cannot recover these items under workers’ compensation.
These damages include:
If you are unsure if you qualify for non-economic damages, speak with your lawyers about your options. Remember: you can recover each loss related to your accident and injuries––even items not listed here.
At Herschensohn Law, our lawyers can guide you through each step of the claims process. We can:
When you work with our Graham lawyers, you don’t have to answer a single phone call or email from an involved party. We field all case-related communications, so you can focus your full energy on healing. You don’t have to deal with pushy claims adjusters, irate lawyers, or other uncooperative parties.
Unless you file an LHWCA claim, you must prove negligence if you were injured in a cargo ship or barge accident. This requires showing that because another party acted negligently, you suffered injuries. Rather than taking on all this work alone, your lawyers can compile evidence while you take the time necessary to make a full recovery.
Supporting evidence in your case could include:
We may also consult with accident reconstruction specialists and forensic analysts to glean more insight into your accident’s details.
Many shipping and boating accident cases start as insurance claims. Here, we identify the responsible party and file a claim with their liability coverage. This is how we resolve many maritime injury cases, and it involves gathering evidence, understanding the liable policy, and negotiating.
Many clients ask: “How long does it take to settle a boating accident claim?” The fact is your case’s duration depends on many elements unique to your situation. Our team hopes that by building a compelling case file, we can recover fair compensation as soon as possible.
While the goal is to always help you receive a settlement without going to court, sometimes, that is not possible.
If we believe that you are not being offered a fair settlement, we will happily represent you in court to ensure you receive all that you deserve.
When you suffer injuries because of a barge or shipping accident in Tacoma or Seattle, you may feel overwhelmed as you try to determine your best path forward. Rather than trying to take on everything yourself, you can seek legal counsel and have our lawyers manage the intricacies on your behalf.
At Herschensohn Law, our clients are our top priority. We understand how important shipping and cargo workers are to our community, and we value all those who work in the industry. If you are injured while working, or if you were simply enjoying a day off and were involved in an accident with a negligent vessel operator, we are ready to help you.
Contact our Graham shipping and boating accident team today at (206) 588-4344. Remember you pay nothing for your initial consultation and only pay us if you win.
After a worker was electrocuted on a construction site and suffered life-changing injuries, we fought and won on their behalf.
When a retired man was killed in a truck accident, we made sure his grieving family got fair compensation.
When a defective medical device harmed our client, we fought to ensure they had the financial compensation needed to recover.
Hurt? Let our law firm handle the details
When you request your free consultation, Kent personal injury attorney Zach Herschensohn will listen to you, answer your questions, lay out your legal options, and give you down-to-earth legal advice.
When you work with our law office, there are no obligations, hidden fees, or fine print. It’s that simple.
