Commercial Fishing Ranks First On CDC Deadly Job List. Why?
For the second year in a row, the U.S. Centers for disease Control have named commercial fishing as the deadliest occupation in the country. About 58 lives are lost every year. This makes the fatality rate about 32 times greater than that of the average American worker. What makes commercial fishing so dangerous?
More than half of the deaths occurred from a vessel disaster. In these incidents, the vessel sank, capsized or caught on fire. These vessel disasters often involved severe weather.
One-third of the deaths occurred when a worker fell overboard. Most victims were alone on deck when they fell, and none were wearing a life jacket.
Risks to commercial fishermen:
1. Weather – sudden gales, storms and fog can cause capsizing, grounding, collisions and loss of direction. 2. Dangers from the fishing operation –Vessel gear may snag on a fastener, workers may get caught in nets or ropes and swept overboard. Fishing gear can cause accidents and injuries. 3. Marine animals – various fish and other marine animals can bite, sting and otherwise cause injury. 4. Communication problems – Loss of radio contact can prevent help from coming when needed. 5. Economic hardship – Fishermen often take risks to increase their catch and payout. 6. Loss of power 7. Fire 8. Inadequate boat construction standards or unsuitable boats 9. Inadequate vessel maintenance 10. Lack of safety training or gear
The annual death rate for commercial fishermen is 128 per 100,000 workers. The rate is higher for shellfish fishermen and for ground fish fishermen in the Northeast United States.
Commercial fishermen who are injured are entitled to compensation under Jones Act Law. Families of those lost at sea, may file for compensation under the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA). To learn more about the rights of injured offshore workers, contact the Louisiana Jones Act attorneys at The Young Firm. Call 866-938-6113 to schedule a free consultationwith an experienced Jones Act attorney.
