Case at a glance
- Recovery: Confidential Settlement
- Injury: Elbow, head and neck injuries; cervical fusion surgery
- Practice: Maritime injuries
- Attorney: Vuk Vujasinovic
Two injuries during one voyage
Michael worked as a fish processor. The job involved long hours and strenuous work in crowded conditions aboard the vessel. His first injury occurred when a coworker struck his left elbow with a large metal tray.
The elbow became swollen and painful. He reported the problem to the ship’s medic and captain and asked to go ashore for medical care. The ship consulted a shoreside medical service, but Michael remained aboard.
Several days later, he fell in his room and suffered head and neck injuries. Michael said he had passed out while experiencing severe elbow pain. The relationship between the first injury, the fall and the ship’s response became central to his case.
He eventually left the vessel for shoreside treatment. His neck symptoms continued, leading him to a neurosurgeon in Texas.
Reconstructing the medical response at sea
The VB Attorneys team examined the ship’s medical log, incident reports, communications with the shoreside medical service and testimony from the captain and other company witnesses. The investigation addressed what the crew knew about Michael’s condition and when he could have received care ashore.
The team also obtained records directly from the outside medical service through a subpoena. Comparing those communications with the ship’s records helped the lawyers examine how information about Michael’s condition had been passed between the vessel and medical providers.
An emergency-medicine expert evaluated the timing of the medical response. He concluded that Michael’s severe elbow pain and tingling warranted further evaluation ashore. He also explained why the subsequent head injury and neck pain required a higher level of medical assessment.
The case did not rest on the initial elbow injury alone. It examined the decisions made afterward, the second injury and the treatment Michael needed when he finally reached shore.
Explaining the neck surgery and recovery
Vuk took testimony from Michael’s treating neurosurgeon. The doctor described two herniated discs pressing on the spinal cord and nerves in Michael’s neck and explained why he recommended surgery.
Michael underwent a two-level cervical discectomy and fusion. The operation addressed the damaged discs and stabilized the affected levels of his neck.
His recovery included another challenge: weakness in his left arm associated with a postoperative nerve palsy. Physical therapy helped. At a later follow-up, his doctor documented substantially improved strength and motion, with Michael able to raise his arm overhead and reporting no neck pain.
The medical evidence showed both the seriousness of the treatment and the progress he made afterward. The legal team used that evidence to present the consequences of his injury accurately.
A confidential settlement
Vuk and the VB Attorneys team pursued Michael’s maritime injury claims, developed medical and vessel-related evidence and prepared the case for trial. They also addressed the dispute over payment for his medical treatment.
The parties ultimately reached a confidential settlement. The result followed an investigation that connected the onboard events with the medical care Michael required after leaving the vessel.
Questions about the case
Related legal help
Learn about maritime injury claims, or read about Jones Act claims.
To speak with Vuk Vujasinovic about a serious injury, call 877-724-7800 for a free consultation.
Every case is different. Prior results depend on the facts of the individual case and do not guarantee a similar outcome.