Commercial fishing has unfortunately been glamorized by network television and turned into entertainment fodder for the masses, with shows like Deadliest Catch showcasing high-octane situations in just about every episode, not caring about the well-being of the workers caught in the crosshairs. This is an industry that is prevalent in Alaska, the Bering Sea, and the Gulf of Alaska, and crews are known to spend long hours on slick, ice-covered decks, winches, while handling heavy nets at the same time battling massive waves and ungodly winds as well as below-zero temperatures. 

A single misstep or miscalculation on an icy hatchway or hauling a catch or even falls from a mast may lead to broken bones, hypothermia, drowning, severe lacerations and even traumatic brain injuries and permanent disability. When a fisherman is hurt, on the job, workers’ compensation automatically kicks in in order to help with medical needs, rehabilitation and in some cases, vocational rehabilitation.

That said, it would be unwise to expect your union or employer to cover your injuries in a comprehensive manner without proper legal representation so your rights can be protected. Read on to find out just how McCready Law does this and how calling us FIRST before speaking to anyone can help preserve your rights to justice and effective compensation. 

Are you looking for the best injury lawyer? Please call us NOW at (314) 481-63338 to learn more about your legal options for justice and compensation. The experienced, countrywide personal-injury attorneys at McCready Law have combined experience spanning over 90 years , where we’ve helped tens of thousands of injured Americans from all corners of the country as well as from various socioeconomic backgrounds, helping them recover money damages after getting injured on account of the negligent actions of other individuals or large corporations.

To date, we have recovered over $260 million and counting for our clients, and our success is due to a number of factors such as personally handling all claims that come into the firm and not letting paralegals or inexperienced legal assistants work on them as seen in most law firms, our commitment in making sure that we put a capable and aggressive team for each claim made of physicians, investigators as well as industry-respected experts, as well as not being afraid to litigate claims in a court of law if we believe the client deserves maximum compensation based on their injuries or the actions of the defendant.

We also work with a team of well-renowned experts in the medical, investigative, forensic, and accounting fields in order to come up with a case replete with objective evidence, a medical rationale for your injuries tying them to the accident and the defendant’s negligence as well as quantifying your injuries by way of compensable damages to ensure you get the compensation you truly deserve. We run a bilingual firm (hablamos Español), and we have nationwide reach thanks to our vast and trusted network of referral attorneys.

Last but not least is the fact that we take on all cases on a contingency-fee basis, which simply means that there are ZERO UPFRONT FEES for the duration of the processing of your claim, as we only levy our fees at the end of the suit, and only if we’ve recovered compensation on your behalf. If you got injured and are looking for personal-injury lawyers with trial experience, you’ve come to the right place — give us a call NOW at (314) 481-63338 to learn more about your legal options for justice and compensation: our intake team is standing by.

Duty of Care Owed to Commercial-Fishing Vessel Workers

Owners, charter operators, and third-party contractors that employ crew members on commercial fishing vessels owe a clear, statutory duty of reasonable care. This duty is reinforced by the U.S. Coast Guard’s Marine Safety regulations, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) maritime standards, and state-specific fishermen-safety statutes (e.g., Alaska’s Fishermen’s Safety Act). The duty of care includes:

1. Ice-Control and Deck-Safety Procedures – Implementing regular de-icing schedules, installing non-slip surfacing on hatches and ladders, and providing portable heating mats or anti-freeze compounds to keep walking surfaces stable in freezing conditions.
2. Comprehensive Training & Certification – Requiring crew to complete Coast Guard-approved safety courses that cover slip-prevention, proper use of personal-protective equipment (PPE) such as insulated boots, harnesses for mast work, and cold-weather clothing, as well as refresher training after any incident.
3. Equipment Inspection & Maintenance – Conducting documented pre-voyage checks of winches, net haulers, hydraulic lifts, and railings; promptly repairing or replacing worn or corroded components that could fail under load or in icy weather.
4. Safe Work-Area Design & Hazard Marking – Clearly labeling high-risk zones (e.g., freezer decks, engine rooms), installing guardrails on open decks, and ensuring adequate lighting on all walkways during night or low-visibility conditions.
5. Fatigue Management & Reasonable Work Hours – Enforcing mandatory rest periods, rotating crew members on physically demanding tasks, and adhering to the Coast Guard’s Hours-of-Service regulations to prevent exhaustion-related slips and falls.
6. Health-Condition Accommodations – Assessing pre-existing medical issues such as cardiovascular disease, arthritis, or vision impairments, and providing modified duties or additional safety equipment when necessary.

Should any of these elements be missing, it can be reasonably assumed that your employer breached said duty of care, setting the stage for a legal claim covered by workers’ compensation. 

Benefits Provide to Injured Commercial Fishing Vessel Workers

As an injured worker on a commercial fishing vessel, some of the compensation benefits you can expect include medical benefits such as coverage for the emergency treatments of fractures, hypothermia and lacerations, lost wages up to two-thirds of your original wage, permanent disability benefits if you suffered lasting functional limitations, vocational rehabilitation and so much more we would love to get into over the phone with you. 

Best Countrywide Injury Attorneys – Call Us Today!

If you were injured while working on a commercial fishing vessel—slipping on an ice-covered deck, being struck by a swinging net, sustaining frostbite during a cold-water haul, or suffering a back injury from hauling heavy catches—McCready Law has your back. Simply give us a call NOW at (314) 481-63338 so we can connect you with one of our experienced, nationwide injury attorneys, no matter where you dock. Remember, the call is 100 % FREE, and there is no legal obligation or paperwork to sign. Thank you for considering McCready Law; we look forward to helping you obtain the justice and compensation you deserve.