Seattle Office Location

BoatLaw, LLP
85 S Washington St Suite 308
Seattle, WA 98104
Local: (206) 624-8647

Seattle Maritime Lawyer

If you work at sea or contribute to the work and or operation of a vessel in Puget Sound or the surrounding waters of the North Pacific, contact the attorneys at BoatLaw, LLP by calling 1 (800) 262-8529 today. Our Seattle admiralty and maritime law attorneys have decades of experience handling maritime personal injury cases and may be able to obtain compensation for your injuries, whether those injuries occurred offshore or shoreside.

The Seattle maritime injury lawyers at BoatLaw, LLP provide service to maritime workers employed by companies headquartered or incorporated in Seattle, Washington who operate in the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and the Bering Sea. We serve injured workers and their families who reside in various states from coast to coast as well as international workers.

Maritime Accident Attorney Lawyers in Seattle WA

According to the United States Census Bureau, Washington State has a population of over 7 million people and Pier 52 is one of the busiest ferry terminals in the U.S. Seattle, Washington is located in King County, the most populous county in Washington.

There are many people who work in the State of Washington and King County who are employed in the maritime industry. This includes crewmembers and other workers who spend at least 30% of their time working aboard a U.S vessel in navigable waters who qualify for seaman status and, therefore, the protections provided by the Jones Act and general maritime law. The Jones Act and general maritime law provide remedies for workers when they become injured in an accident or fall ill in the service of a ship.

What can be recovered from a maritime personal injury claim?

Maritime accidents can have very serious consequences on a worker’s personal and financial wellbeing. Some offshore injuries are not realized until the worker feels pain days after working on oil drilling rigs, production platforms, docks and other maritime environments.

Maritime accidents are governed by a different set of laws than the common landside accidents. Workers who are employed aboard boats and vessels in navigable waters are typically covered under the Jones Act, the general maritime law, or the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. Navigable waters include rivers, canals and oceans, to name a few.

Claims under the Jones Act allow injured workers to recover full compensation for what they lost because of the accident that caused injury. This includes compensation for medical bills, loss of wages, past and future economic loss, rehabilitation costs, and pain and suffering.

It is important to speak with a lawyer who is familiar with maritime and admiralty law who will know which laws apply to your maritime claim and can guide you through the process of getting the compensation you deserve.

Common Maritime law claims in King County

Inadequate training accidents resulting in injury
Lack of proper safety equipment to prevent injury
Employers that did not take certain safety precautions to minimize risk of injury
Pain and/or complications that are noticed after working aboard a vessel or at harbor
Unsafe work surfaces, such as slippery or icy decks, resulting in injury
Toxic exposures
Lifting and crane operations performed improperly or without proper supervision

The attorneys at BoatLaw, LLP represent clients who have been injured offshore in Seattle and King County, Washington. They conveniently have offices located in Bellingham and Seattle, Washington, Portland, Oregon, as well as a new office in San Francisco, CA.

Common Maritime Accidents in Seattle, WA

Anytime you set foot on a boat, whether you’re a recreational boater or work in the maritime business, there’s a risk of injury. This is especially true for longshore men and seamen who work yearlong in the maritime industry. Some common types of maritime accidents and injuries that occur on recreational and working vessels include:

Maritime Jobs in Seattle

Longshoremen – Maritime workers who manage the ports and waterways to ensure no accidents occur are known as longshoremen. Longshoremen often sustain serious injuries when on the job and have access to the United States Longshore and Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act (LHWCA or USL&H). The act essentially states you must be provided wage replacements when recovering from your injury and your medical costs must be covered by your employer. There are various types of jobs a longshoreman can pursue including:
- Stevedores
- Ship-Breakers
- Ship Repairmen
- Marine Construction Workers
- Ship Engineers
- Harbor Laborer
Seamen – People who work on the vessel as crew members are referred to as seamen. These workers face incredibly challenging jobs both mentally and physically. They are at risk of bad weather, unseaworthy vessels, and the carelessness or negligence of their other crew members. Seamen who are injured on the job can resort to a number of legal statutes and common maritime laws to seek damages. Depending on the vessel, there are various jobs a seaman can have including the following:
- Captain
- Deck Officers
- Chief Mate
- Second Mate
- Third Mate
- Deck Cadet
- Boatswain
- Able Seaman
- Ordinary Seaman
- Engineering Officer
- Motorman
- Oiler
- Chief Steward
- Chief Cook

Recreational Boating Accident Statistics for Washington

Every year, the United States Coast Guard releases a report on recreational boating statistics. This data provides an interesting look into the causes of boating accidents and the frequency of which they occur. The Coast Guard collects this information annually so they can study it and have a better understanding of boater’s safety.

The following is some statistics pulled from the 2019 recreational boat accident statistic report for the state of Washington and the city of Seattle.

In total, the state of Washington had 114 recreational boating accidents in 2020
Out of those 114, 11 of those accidents were for capsizing
10 of these accidents were collisions with a fixed object of sorts
The state of Washington had 4 recreational boating accidents where it was a collision with a floating object
In Washington, there were 28 collisions with another recreational vessel
There were recorded 11 falls overboard in 2020
It was found that 9 people were injured or killed by a propellor
28 people were found to have drowned and died in 2020 due to accidents
52 people were injured that year due to recreational boating accidents

Communities We Serve in Seattle, Washington

The colorful city of Seattle is rich in history and culture. From it’s historic districts to idyllic tranquil neighborhoods, the city of Seattle offers numerous communities for residents and visitors. The lawyers at BoatLaw, LLP represent people who live in the city of Seattle and it’s communities including:

Downtown Seattle
Fremont
Pioneer Square
SoDo & Georgetown
South Lake Union
Waterfront
Bellevue/Eastside
Queen Anne
Columbia City
West Seattle
Woodinville
Wallingford, Green Lake & Phinney Ridge
University District
Belltown
Chinatown-International District
Ballard
Bainbridge/Bremerton

Seattle, WA Offshore Personal Injuries Resources

Offshore Worker Law’s – Click here to view offshore worker laws from Tulane Maritime Law Center.

King County, Washington: Boating information –Visit King County’s website for boating information, recreation guides, boat licensing, water safety and other information. This website provides regional services to all residents of the county.

Boating Regulation Fact Sheet – Click this link to go to King County’s Boating regulation fact sheet. It discusses boat speed limits and negligent and reckless operation.

Contact King County District Courthouse:
516 Third Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: 206-205-9200; Toll Free: 800-325-6165

Seattle Maritime Injury Lawyer, WA

If you have been injured in Lake Washington, Puget Sound or surrounding areas don’t hesitate to contact the experienced attorneys at BoatLaw, LLP. Call 1 (800) 262-8529 today for a free initial consultation.

At BoatLaw, LLP, the attorneys represent injured workers and their families like they are a part of their own family. They understand the difficulties that stem from an accident and can help you secure compensation for your injuries.