Seaman Injured After Vessel Sailed Straight into Hurricane Ian

Arnold & Itkin’s maritime injury attorneys are representing a seaman who was severely injured when the vessel he was working on sailed straight into Hurricane Ian.

Our client, a father and husband, was working as a deckhand aboard an oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean. As Hurricane Ian descended (one of the most powerful hurricanes to make landfall in Florida), instead of performing safety maneuvers and keeping the well-being of the crew in mind, the captain of the vessel continued due course directly into the storm. Our client suffered severe physical and emotional injuries as a result.

“I am happy to represent our client in this Jones Act case,” said one of our attorneys in a statement. “This case is a clear example of how a company prioritizes the job above the health and safety of the crew. I look forward to helping our client obtain justice in his case.”

This careless decision by the captain and his employer shows the outrageous nature of failing to place the health and safety of the crew above meeting a schedule or hitting a quota. Mother Nature cannot be blamed for crews that are injured or even lost in severe storms and hurricanes; it is up to maritime employers to monitor the weather and evacuate vessels and crew when necessary.

We look forward to helping our client find justice and closure in this matter.