Dredging vessels are ships that engage in underwater activities to gather sediment; they are often employed to clear waterways so they can remain navigable. The dredge is made distinct by its long crane, although there are many types of dredges with varying appearances. These cranes do not have to be solely located in water, as they can also be positioned on the shore or on a platform. Workers stationed on dredges are often paid high salaries, usually as compensation for the great risks inherent in their work environment. Dredge workers are vulnerable to crush injuries, particularly on their arms and hands, when performing on-ship tasks like loosening blockages in dredge pipelines. Injuries also frequently occur while crewmembers are being transported to and from dredge boats.
Even though many dredging operations occur in shallow seas or inland waterways, dredging vessel employees are usually still offered the same protections as workers stationed on vessels that navigate the high seas. Regardless of the type of dredge you were working around or the type of injury that you sustained, Arnold & Itkin is here to help following a serious accident or injury. We understand the complex laws surrounding maritime accidents and can put our knowledge to work for you. In fact, our team has recovered billions of dollars for injury victims!
Why trust your case to anyone else? Call our maritime injury attorneys at (888) 346-5024.
Like most maritime occupations, those who work on dredges have a dangerous, but necessary job to do. Without dredges, waterways could not be maintained for commerce. When sediment and other materials block passageways that ships need to pass through, dredges are necessary to clear that material. The cranes of these vessels are extremely dangerous, often putting workers and those around them at risk.
Some of the most serious dredge accidents that can occur include:
Any material that falls from a dredge crane can cause major injuries that can result in amputation, loss of limb, or even paralysis. The good news is that those who work on dredges are covered under what is known as the Jones Act. You may also be entitled to additional financial compensation if a third party’s negligence was involved in your accident. The important part is obtaining legal counsel who can ensure you are given the fair financial compensation you deserve from your employer and any negligent party responsible.
The top dredging company in the entire U.S. is Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company. This company was employed to help remediate the oil that was approaching the Louisiana coast after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in 2010. One of the major accidents in this company's history was the Chicago Flood of 1992. It was drilling pilings for a new bridge to be set up but accidentally punched a hole into a tunnel that passed below the river.
This flooded the basements of many buildings in the downtown Chicago area. Gulf States Dredging LLP is a company that primarily operates in Texas. In one of the more recent lawsuits against this company, an employee filed a Jones Act suit against them claiming negligence in injuries he received while working on a barge wench. For a complete list of companies that are a part of the Dredging Contractors of America, follow the link.
Arnold & Itkin is not afraid to take major dredging companies to court. We have faced large insurance companies, oil companies, shipping companies, and many other parties over the years. When our clients’ best interests are on the line, we never back down. You can be confident that our maritime lawyers are ready to fight for your compensation!
Now is the time to have trusted counsel on your side. Set up a free consultation with us today.
Arnold & Itkin represented nearly a third of the crewmembers injured in the Deepwater Horizon explosion.
Because maritime law is so complex and so complicated, it is crucial that you work with an attorney who has an in-depth understanding of how it works and who has proven themselves in similar cases before.
