Posts by Latti Associates LLC
Visit With Our Maritime Attorneys at the Working Waterfront Festival!
The nationwide maritime attorneys at Latti Associates are proud to sponsor the Working Waterfront Festival in New Bedford at the Steamship Pier, which will take place this weekend! Look for our sponsor booth, where we will be involved in a scallop-shucking contest and net mending. Our maritime attorneys will be mingling with those in attendance…
Read MoreWhy Do Passengers Fall Off Cruise Ships?
According to the Boston Globe, the body of a 59-year-old woman was recently recovered off the coast of Cape Ann after she fell off a cruise ship. The news source reported that the US Coast Guard received a call on September 11 about a woman who had fallen overboard the 650-foot Seabourn Quest. The ship…
Read MoreSurgeon Charged in Drunk Boating Accident
WFMJ-TV reported recently that a surgeon in Ohio was charged in connection to a fatal boat accident on Berlin Lake. According to the news outlet, Dr. Joseph Yurich has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, aggravated vehicular assault and two counts of operating a vehicle under the influence. Since his arrest, he has been free…
Read MoreWhen is National Lobster Day?
You may want to enjoy a nice lobster dinner with melted butter next Friday because it has been designated National Lobster Day. Two sponsors who pushed to designate September 25 as National Lobster Day, Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, released a statement about why the day is important for people in the northeast. “The…
Read MoreLongshoreman Dies in L.A. Port Collision
The Long Beach Press-Telegram reported that a longshoreman died at the Port of Los Angeles on August 12 when his vehicle collided with a rig that is used to move cargo containers. According to the news outlet, the victim, 45, was driving a Ford Ranger at the site that collided with a utility tractor rig.…
Read MoreCalif. Man Killed in Labor Day Weekend Boat Accident
According to ABC News, a California man was killed over Labor Day weekend in a recreational boat accident off the coast of Catalina Island. The man was identified as the son of a former San Francisco 49ers executive. The victim was reportedly on a dinghy that was carrying five people when it collided with another…
Read MoreDid the Hawaiian Jones Act Challenge Fail?
According to MarineLog.com, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit turned away a challenge to the Jones Act recently by a corporation and six people in Hawaii. The news source reported that the Hawaiian plaintiffs had shipping interests and argued that the Jones Act impaired their ability to conduct interstate trade and violated…
Read MoreHand Injury: Fisherman Rescued From Maryland Coast
According to WMDT-TV, on August 22, a fisherman needed to be medevaced by the U.S. Coast Guard off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland after he severely injured his hand. The victim, 23, reportedly deeply lacerated his hand at around 8 a.m. when he was fishing on the 96-foot commercial vessel Hannah Boden. Representatives from…
Read MoreDockworker Allegedly Killed By Drunk Coworker
Updating a story we brought you recently, prosecutors in New Jersey have charged a man operating heavy equipment at a marine terminal in connection to his co-worker’s death. According to NJ.com, the man, 48, of North Arlington, was allegedly drunk when he was operating a toploader, killing the victim after it struck her on August…
Read MoreAvoid Labor Day Drunk Boating
With Labor Day weekend approaching, we know that there will be a number of people enjoying recreational boating activities on the water. If you are on the water this weekend, make sure that you avoid drunk boating at all costs, as there will be increased patrol in many waterways, and an accident could result in…
Read MoreThe Danger of Vessel Fires and Smoke Inhalation
Recently, the U.S. Coast Guard had to rescue a crewmember from a boat near the Texas coast after he reportedly suffered from smoke inhalation. According to Professional Mariner, the Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston received a call on August 20 from the crew of the 50-foot towing vessel Kennedy Grace, which was towing the motor vessel…
Read MoreHave You Been Injured in a Cruise Ship Slip-and-Fall?
In a decision that could have ramifications in future cases, recently, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ruled that a lower court should not have dismissed the testimony of an expert in a slip-and-fall case. According to Daily Business Review, the decision came after a district court judge in Florida ruled that…
Read MoreWhat Are My Legal Rights After a Barge Accident?
As of last week, search and recovery crews were trying to find a missing boater in Florence, Alabama following a barge accident. According to The TimesDaily, a barge struck a pontoon boat with eight people onboard on August 15, less than a mile from the Wilson Dam. An initial investigation determined that the pontoon might…
Read MoreCan I File a Lawsuit Following a Crabbing Accident?
If your loved one is a commercial angler, fisherman or crabber, and he or she has been injured or killed in a maritime accident, you should know that there are specific laws that may apply to your case. For example, if your loved one is involved in fishing or scalloping and he or she is…
Read MoreNew York East River Ferry Accident Injures Ten
According to the New York Daily News, ten people suffered injuries on August 12 when an East River Ferry full of passengers made a hard landing at Pier 11. The Daily News reported that the ferry was coming into the pier too fast when the accident occurred. One passenger said that the ferry actually slammed…
Read MoreAre There Specific Laws Protecting Dockworkers and Longshoremen?
If you are a dockworker or longshoreman who has been injured or your loved one has been killed, you should know that you have very specific legal rights when it comes to obtaining compensation. Injured longshoremen, dockworkers and harbor workers have legal options under state or federal workers compensation law. For example, the Longshore Act…
Read MoreHow Were Two Cruise Ship Workers Injured in a Hawaii Accident
Two crewmembers aboard the Pride of America were injured recently in Hawaii when they were performing a check on the vessel’s rescue boats. According to KHON-TV, the cruise ship accident took place on July 28, when the vessel, operated by Norwegian Cruise Line, was docked in Hilo. Investigators say that the employees, who are in…
Read MoreHow Can My Teen Boat Safely?
If you have a teen and own a boat, you should take some safety steps before you allow him or her to operate the vessel. Before allowing teens to boat, make sure that they: Are aware of the dangers of drunk boating Do not allow people to tube, ski or wakeboard without experience Are aware…
Read MoreBodies of Missing Crabbers Found in North Carolina
Sadly, according to WVEC-TV, the bodies of three missing crabbers have been located off the coast of North Carolina. According to the news outlet, the men were reportedly crabbing aboard a 25-foot boat and never returned to Camden Point in April. The U.S. Coast Guard reported that their bodies were later found in three different…
Read MoreWhat are Dangers of Boat Propellers?
If you operate a recreational boat or are a passenger, you should be aware that propellers offer great dangers to people who encounter them. We have blogged about many injury accidents involving people being struck by active boat propellers. In fact, earlier this year, a woman’s arm was amputated following a Boston boating accident in…
Read MoreHow Can I Safely Water Ski?
As the summer continues and Labor Day arrives in a few weeks, more people will be out on the water participating in recreational boating activities like water skiing. If you are a water skier or boat operator, make sure you take safety precautions. Water skiing accidents can be deadly or lead to catastrophic injuries like…
Read MoreConstruction Worker Killed in St. Louis Tugboat Accident
According to KTVI-TV, a construction worker was killed on July 16 in St. Louis when a tugboat hit the Eads Bridge. The news outlet reported that the victim, age 24, was working on a sandblasting project on the bridge when the vessel struck it. He reportedly fell from his position on the bridge, to his…
Read MoreTwo Women Die in Maryland Boating Accident
Sadly, on July 26, two women were killed in a Maryland boating accident that has many people asking questions about the boater safety in the state. According to CBS Baltimore, the fatal boat accident occurred by the Key Bridge, near Dundalk. The boat involved, a 37-foot recreational model, reportedly struck a concrete piling near the…
Read MoreHow Can I Tube Safely?
Are you a boat owner who often pulls passengers on tubes? If you do this fun activity, be aware that accidents can happen when you are reckless. This is why it is important if you are pulling a tube to be as safe as possible. Make sure that your passengers are safe, so you can…
Read MoreRoyal Caribbean Ship Catches Fire, Crew Member Injured
According to WFTV-TV, a Royal Caribbean cruise ship that departed from Port Canaveral, Florida, recently caught fire in Jamaica, leading to burn injuries for a crewmember. The news outlet reported that Freedom of the Seas experienced a fire in its mechanical space as the ship was pulling into Falmouth, Jamaica on July 19. “The ship’s…
Read MoreLegal Rights for Injured Commercial Fishermen
Are you a commercial fisherman? If you work in the maritime industry, you should know that commercial fishermen have one of the highest occupational fatality rates in the country, often due to safety lapses on the part of employers and ship owners. Commercial fishermen work on boats including clamming vessels, offshore lobster boats, crab boats,…
Read MoreWoman Sentenced For Fatal S.C. Boat Accident
According to the Independent Mail, a South Carolina woman was sentenced to one year in jail recently after she was involved in a boat accident last year that killed a 9-year-old and 5-month old. The news source reported that Dawn Thompson, 53, pleaded guilty to two counts of involuntary manslaughter. She was sentenced to jail,…
Read MoreBarge Captain Sentenced to Prison for Fatal Accident
The Chicago Tribune reported recently that the captain of a boat that was pushing a barge that exploded in 2005 has been sentenced to jail in connection to a seaman’s death. According to the Tribune, the captain, Dennis M. Egan, 36, was found guilty of one count of negligent manslaughter of a seaman and one…
Read MoreDo Party Boat Accident Victims Have Legal Rights?
Sadly, earlier this month, a party boat accident in North Carolina resulted in injuries to some of the vessel’s 159 passengers. According to PortCityDaily.com, the accident occurred on July 11 in the Wilmington-area when the Royal Winner Princess II was navigating the Intracoastal Waterway, toward Snow’s Cut. The boat reportedly had music blaring and people…
Read MoreFour Injured in NJ Grounding Boat Accident
According to WABC-TV, four people were injured on July 11 in a New Jersey boating accident. The network reported that the accident occurred in Little Egg Harbor Bay, between Holgate Long Beach Island and Little Egg Harbor Township. The recreational 50-foot boat reportedly ran aground with 13 people aboard. One woman, in her 60s, had…
Read MoreWhat is the Cruise Passenger Protection Act?
A Connecticut Senator has introduced the Cruise Passenger Protection Act of 2015 aimed at providing more protections for U.S. citizens who are traveling aboard vessels. “Since January 2015 alone, 12 passengers have fallen overboard while on cruise ships,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who is co-sponsoring the legislation, according to the Greenwich Times. The Cruise Passenger…
Read MoreFive-Year-Old Girl Killed in Texas Boat Accident
Tragically, a 5-year-old girl was killed in a recreational boat accident near Austin, Texas on the Fourth of July, and her family thinks a vessel malfunction may have played a role in her death. According to KXAN-TV, a water ski pole that was pulling tubers aboard a boat on Lake Travis struck the victim in…
Read MoreFourth of July Boat Accident: Capsizing Event Kills Two
Sadly, a pontoon boat carrying passengers on the Fourth of July capsized in Kentucky, killing two people and leaving three others missing. According to CNN, the boat capsized on the Ohio River, outside of downtown Louisville. Aside from those missing or killed, three children and one adult were hospitalized with injuries. Most of the people…
Read MoreCan a Longshoreman File an Injury Lawsuit?
According to the Louisiana Record, a longshoreman has filed a lawsuit against two Mississippi businesses alleging that he was injured in an offshore vessel collision. The news outlet reported that the plaintiff filed the lawsuit on June 5 against C-Log Marine LLC and C-Log LLC in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of…
Read MoreTwo Men Indicted in ‘Naut Guilty’ Boat Accident
Updating a story that we have been following recently, two Boston men have been indicted on charges relating to the Naut Guilty boat accident that resulted in a woman losing her arm. According to the Boston Globe, attorney Benjamin P. Urbelis, 33, has been indicted on charges of negligent operation of a boat, operating a…
Read MoreChild Killed, Eight Injured in Maryland Speedboat Accident
Sadly, a young girl was killed and eight people were injured on June 28 in a Maryland speedboat accident. According to WBAL-TV, the accident occurred during the Thunder on the Narrows boat race, off Kent Island. The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating the incident. A racing association official said that the vessel involved in the…
Read MoreHow Can I Avoid a Fourth of July Boat Accident?
With the Fourth of July falling on a Saturday this year, our maritime attorneys expect heavy boating traffic along the coast. Because of this, we would like to offer you some safety tips, so that you can avoid a Fourth of July boating accident. The U.S. Coast Guard recommends doing the following this holiday: Wear…
Read MoreSecond Man Charged for ‘Naut Guilty’ Boating Accident
Updating a story that we have been following recently, a second man has been arrested in connection to a Boston Harbor boating accident in which a teenager lost part of her arm after she was struck by the vessel’s propeller. According to the Boston Globe, Alexander Williams, 24, allegedly started the Naut Guilty’s engine while…
Read MoreSeventeen People Injured in NY Cruise Ship Accident
According to CNN, a cruise ship struck a wall in the Eisenhower Lock in New York on June 18, injuring 17 passengers. The news outlet reported that several passengers had to be sent to an area hospital for treatment following the accident. There were 274 people on the Saint Laurent, a 286-foot vessel, when the…
Read MoreMan Arrested for NJ Hit-and-Run Boating Accident
According to reports, New Jersey police have arrested a 21-year-old man following a hit-and-run boating accident in Sparta that injured five people. The New Jersey Herald reported that the accident occurred on Lake Mohawk on June 14. A recreational boat being driven by the suspect reportedly crashed into a pontoon boat, sending several people to…
Read MoreIs Stress Management Important in the Maritime Industry?
People who work in the maritime industry face challenges that can place high stress levels on them. Whether it is rough seas, little time with family or jobs with heavy physical demands, stress management is becoming more important. With this in mind, recently a column in Professional Mariner by Capt. Kelly Sweeney discussed this issue.…
Read MoreConn. Governor Signs Towing Bill into Law
On June 4, Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy signed “Emily’s Law”, which establishes a towing age for people behind recreational boats. According to WTIC-TV, the law requires boaters to complete a safe towing class before earning a boating certificate. The law was named after Emily Fedorko, 16, who died last summer in a Greenwich boating accident.…
Read MoreAre OUIs Common in Massachusetts?
As we reported in our blog earlier this month, alcohol use is a factor in almost a third of all recreational boating fatalities in our country. Sadly, an investigation by the Boston Herald indicates that state officials may not be targeting drunken boaters enough. According to the news outlet, Massachusetts Environmental Police have made only…
Read MoreWhat Caused a Houston Ship Channel Collision?
According to Professional Mariner, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has completed its investigation into a Houston Ship Channel collision that resulted in a natural disaster. According to the report, on March 22, the 607-foot-long bulk carrier Summer Wind collided with the 670-foot-long Miss Susan tow, which was towing another vessel and two 300-foot-long tank…
Read MoreThree Injured By Chemical Drums, Rough Seas
Sadly, three vessel crewmembers suffered chemical burns in a February incident while cleaning drums during poor weather off the coast of Oregon. According to Professional Mariner, the incident occurred when the workers of the Almasi were cleaning cargo holds aboard the Cyprus-flagged ship. The news outlet reported that two mariners suffered severe chemical burns, while…
Read MoreCaptain Killed After Tug Sinks Near Long Island
Tragically, on March 14, the captain of a tugboat died following a sinking incident in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Long Island. According to Professional Mariner, the incident, which remains under investigation, also involved three crewmembers who managed to put on survival suits while abandoning the Sea Bear as it began to take…
Read MoreCould Technology Improvements Help Man-Overboard Retrievals?
Professional Mariner had an interesting story recently about how technology advancements may be helping rescue workers in man-overboard (MOB) situations when people are lost at sea. The news outlet reported that it was not that long ago that people lost at sea had to rely on luck to be rescued; however, now people who fall…
Read MoreWho is Responsible When Boats Collide?
Seventeen nautical miles off the Shinnecock Inlet, a commercial fishing boat and a sport fishing boat collided. The commercial vessel, the Elizabeth J, was fishing for scallops when the crew saw an approaching vessel appear on radar. The oncoming sport fisher, the Nina Marie, was moving at a speed of about 20 knots in fog…
Read MoreTwelve People Injured in a Boat Crash
A group of 11 young people and the boat operator were on the waters of Cheat Lake at around 8:55 pm on Monday, May 25th. They suddenly ran up on an embankment on the eastern shore, but no one knows why the boat crashed. “It was like hitting a brick wall,” said the victims of…
Read MoreBoston Lawyer Charged With Drunk Boating
Sadly, a Boston attorney was recently charged with operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol following a boating accident that resulted in a young woman losing her arm. According to Boston.com, Benjamin Urbelis, 33, has been charged with “operating a boat while under the influence causing serious bodily injury, negligent operation of a boat…
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