Unseaworthy Vessels Can Cause Injury or Death

The vessel was unseaworthy with respect to the seaman if the vessel does not provide him with safe and suitable appliances with which to perform his work. The vessel is unseaworthy if it does not give the seaman a safe place to work. Unseaworthiness does not mean that the vessel cannot sail, float, or be navigated.

In maritime accident cases, the injured seaman does not have to prove that the entire vessel was unseaworthy or that it was in the danger of sinking. All that the injured seaman needs to prove is some condition or aspect of the vessel, equipment, or crew was not reasonably fit for its intended purpose and that the seaman was injured as a result of this.

What Is Unseaworthiness?

Examples of unseaworthiness may include:

• Improperly maintained equipment or old equipment
• Lack of proper safety gear
• Unsafe work practices
• Oily or slippery decks
• Not having enough crew members
• Inadequate training of crew members
• Unsafe work practices

Contact Our Maritime Injury Attorneys in Providence

If you are a seaman who has been injured because of the unseaworthiness of a vessel or crew, it is important you speak with a Providence maritime injury lawyer to seek the compensation you need to recover, including financial help to pay your medical bills, to compensate you for lost wages or loss of future earning potential, and pain and suffering. Our lawyers work diligently to hold negligent employers or third-parties accountable.

Karns & Kerrison invites you to contact our team online or by calling (888) 281-3100. We have two convenient office locations in Providence and Middletown and offer free initial consultations.