Tobias & Comer Law has secured an $850,000 settlement on behalf of a commercial fisherman who suffered life-altering injuries after an unsafe work condition aboard a commercial shrimp vessel led to a devastating chain of medical complications.
The incident occurred while the deckhand was working aboard a shrimp boat in the waters off Key West, Florida. During net repairs, heavy shrimp trawl doors that had not been properly secured shifted overboard, trapping the worker’s leg in the chain and net. He sustained a severe fracture to his lower leg and narrowly avoided being pulled overboard.
Following the incident, the worker underwent surgery to repair the fractured leg. During his recovery, he developed a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which ultimately resulted in an ischemic stroke. Although he received ongoing medical treatment, he continues to experience permanent physical and neurological impairments that prevent him from returning to the maritime career he had worked in for more than four decades.
“This case demonstrates how a preventable workplace incident can trigger devastating, lifelong consequences,” said attorney Desmond V. Tobias of Tobias & Comer Law. “Our client dedicated his life to commercial fishing, and because basic safety precautions were not followed, he lost not only his health but also the career he loved. We are proud to have secured a result that provides him with meaningful financial security as he moves forward.”
Maritime employers have a legal obligation to provide a safe place to work. When those responsibilities are ignored, workers and their families can pay an enormous price. Tobias & Comer Law is committed to holding negligent parties accountable and fighting for injured maritime workers throughout the Gulf Coast.
The case was resolved through an $850,000 settlement, providing compensation for the client’s medical expenses, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and permanent disabilities resulting from the incident.