Commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous jobs in the country. Long hours, harsh conditions, and heavy equipment often lead to serious accidents. When you are injured while working in this industry, you may face hospital bills, lost income, and long recovery periods. Knowing your rights is critical, and a Findlay commercial fishing injury lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you need.
At Schaffer & Associates, our lawyers were born and raised in northwest Ohio and have decades of experience representing injured workers. We understand the unique risks that come with maritime and fishing work. When you call us, you will speak directly with a workers’ comp attorney who will give your case the dedicated and personalized attention it deserves.
Fishing crews face hazards that many other workers never encounter. Slippery decks, heavy nets, sharp hooks, and exposure to chemicals can cause serious injuries. Equipment failures, rough weather, and fatigue only increase the risks.
When accidents happen, injuries may include broken bones, head trauma, spinal injuries, burns, and drowning. A BWC physician can treat your injury under workers’ compensation, but maritime law may also give you additional rights. Our Findlay attorneys know how to examine both systems to identify the best path for your recovery after a commercial fishing accident.
If you were hurt while working on a commercial vessel in Findlay or the surrounding area, you may be covered under federal maritime laws such as the Jones Act, which our lawyers could explain in more detail. The Jones Act allows injured seamen to recover compensation when negligence by an employer or coworker causes harm. This law can also provide maintenance and cure benefits, covering daily living expenses and medical care while you recover.
In some cases, Ohio workers’ compensation may apply as well. Disabled individuals who can no longer return to work may also qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits if they worked long enough and recently enough. Our attorneys can explain how these laws overlap and build a strategy that maximizes your compensation.
Fishing injuries often involve complex questions about whether state or federal law applies. Employers and insurers may deny responsibility or try to minimize your benefits. Without legal guidance, you risk losing support that you and your family need.
Our lawyers can investigate how the accident happened, gather evidence, and identify every source of compensation. We also prepare for hearings, which are informal but require careful preparation. Because Schaffer & Associates is a boutique firm, your case is never handed off to junior staff, you will work directly with the same team from start to finish. Clients in Findlay and the surrounding area trust our attorneys to help with their injury claims because we fight to hold commercial fishing employers accountable.
Commercial fishing accidents can change your life, but you do not have to face the aftermath alone. At Schaffer & Associates, our local attorneys understand both maritime law and Ohio workers’ compensation. We will fight to protect your rights and pursue the benefits your family needs. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin building a strategy to secure the compensation you deserve.
Call today to speak directly with a Findlay commercial fishing injury lawyer and learn how we can help you move forward.