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Deckhand Assaulted at Sea Hires VB Attorneys
07/02/2021

Deckhand Assaulted at Sea Hires VB Attorneys

Vuk Vujasinovic

Vuk Vujasinovic

07/02/2021

Our team at VB Attorneys has been hired by a deckhand who suffered from multiple injuries after being physically assaulted by an offshore housekeeper. Our client was attacked by an employee of United States Seafoods while eating breakfast in the gally. The assault came after a verbal altercation about COVID-19 etiquette the night before.

VB Attorneys investigates Jones Act case after an assault offshore

During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, our client asked the vessel’s housekeeper to practice social distancing, wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and respect CDC guidelines while at work. The housekeeper refused to comply and words were exchanged. 

The next morning, our client was eating breakfast in the vessel’s gally when he was approached from behind and physically assaulted. Caught blindsided, our client sustained multiple injuries, including a concussion and broken orbital in his right eye. The permanency of his injuries is unknown at this time, however, the injuries he sustained are ruinous in nature.     

Like many other maritime companies, United States Seafoods continued to pressure our client to return to work before reaching Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI); that’s when our client decided to pick up the phone and contact us.      

Negligent maritime companies and the Jones Act

The Jones Act is a federal law that protects the rights of anyone who works offshore. As a Jones Act seaman, maritime companies have a “duty of care”. In other words, maritime companies are responsible for their employees’ safety and well-being while at sea and they can be held liable for their failure to keep workers safe.

Our client was physically assaulted by an employee of United States Seafoods while at work. The injuries he sustained could have been completely avoided had the offshore company done its due diligence when hiring crewmembers. Life offshore is rough enough as is without having loose cannons on board. Fighting is not acceptable in any workplace and it’s certainly not acceptable offshore. 

Jones Act lawsuits

The Jones Act exists to protect the rights of injured maritime workers, and that’s where our maritime lawyers specialize. Our team of experienced maritime lawyers has successfully handled hundreds of cases against negligent offshore companies. If you or someone you know has been injured working offshore, do not hesitate to take action. Call 713-224-7800 or click here for a free and confidential case evaluation.