Alaska Personal Injury Lawyers

Personal Injury Lawyers Alaska, Helping Those Injured in Charter Fishing Accidents

Alaska Personal Injury Lawyers
Helping Those Injured in Charter Fishing Accidents

Charter fishing is an industry that’s one of the backbones of Alaskan tourism.  Fishermen come from all over the world to take part in the excitement of the catch in Alaskan waters.  While these trips are always memorable, the unfortunate reality is that things can and do go wrong on these vessels and people can be injured or worse as a result.  If this has happened to you or to someone you love, seek the help of experienced Alaska personal injury lawyers as soon as possible.  In the meantime, below is a brief introduction to this complicated legal issue.

The Nature of Charter Fishing Boats

Typically, when people decide to embark on a charter fishing trip, they will sign waivers of liability before boarding the vessel in question.  While these waivers may in some ways limit the liability of the charter companies, they do not remove responsibility when people are harmed because of negligence.

In addition, there are many different situations that can arise that can lead to serious injuries and fatalities for charter boat passengers.  Clearly, Alaska boating accidents can occur that lead to injuries, and there can be navigational mistakes made that lead vessels into dangerous waters and storms.  Ultimately, when charter fishing boat employees make mistakes that should have been avoided and that caused injuries, these mistakes can lead to the filing of lawsuits.

Which Laws Govern Alaska Charter Fishing Accidents?

There are people who feel that any injuries that are suffered at sea are subject to the tenets of the Jones Act, which is a maritime injury law that has been in place for decades.  However, the Jones Act basically deals with employees on a ship and not vacationing fishermen.  Therefore, the laws of personal injury will typically govern these situations.

However, there are still questions that can arise based on the jurisdiction of an Alaska personal injury lawsuit that’s filed in response to a charter fishing accident.  In certain situations, cases will need to be filed in federal court and in other situations the courts of Alaska can and should oversee these procedures.

How Alaska Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help

As can be seen, pursuing justice after an Alaska charter fishing accident can be a complicated matter for those who do not have a legal background.  Therefore, if you or someone you love has suffered in this manner, you need to seek the help of Alaska personal injury lawyers who have been holding those responsible for this type of harm accountable for many years.  Contact Barber & Banker today to schedule a free initial consultation.