Fisher Maritime’s maritime accident and injury assignments focus on a thorough analysis of all factors potentially contributing to the occurrence of the accident, as well as the identification of the strengths and weaknesses of both our client’s case and the opponent’s case. Our clients include both defendants and plaintiffs (including in Jones Act matters), and whose roles have been component manufacturers, designers, insurers, owners, passengers, repairers, seamen, and shipbuilders.
The key to our successes, for which we have been commended by the courts (and praised by our clients through their repeat business) is our analytical reliance on facts rather than argumentative reliance on opinions. Representative matters in which the services of Fisher Maritime have been retained include the following examples.
Cargo Ship Sinking
A case that entailed multiple wrongful death claims in connection with the sinking of the containership S.S. EL FARO during its encounter with hurricane JOAQUIN at a location approximately 40 nautical miles northeast of Acklins and Crooked Islands in the Bahamas. At the time, the Vessel was enroute to San Juan, Puerto Rico with a cargo of containers and vehicles. The Vessel’s 27-person crew, as well as one supernumerary and five “riding gang” workers, all perished in the incident. Fisher Maritime was engaged to review and analyze information produced in discovery, perform a sister-vessel inspection and provide expertise in subjects that included marine navigation, meteorology and shiphandling.
Cruise Ship Injury
A case that entailed a personal injury claim in connection with an incident in which it is alleged that a passenger sustained injury while aboard a Miami-based cruise ship. It was alleged that said incident occurred while that vessel was in the process of docking at the port of Progresso, Mexico. Fisher Maritime was engaged to review and analyze video and vessel record evidence produced in discovery, and to provide expertise in subjects that included customary vessel operations and shiphandling.
Longshoreman’s Fall Through Damaged Grating
A case that entailed a personal injury claim involving an accident in which a longshoreman fell through a damaged grating over a ladder access opening during cargo container loading operations aboard a container vessel while the vessel was berthed at the Red Hook Container Terminal located in Brooklyn, NY. Fisher Maritime was engaged to review and analyze information produced in discovery, and to provide expertise in subjects that included customary cargo handling and vessel maintenance operations.
Medical Emergency Aboard a Cruise Ship
A case that entailed a medical emergency that occurred while a passenger was aboard another Miami-based cruise ship. Plaintiff had suffered a stroke while the vessel was proceeding northward along the US east coast, approximately 23 hours away from its scheduled return to the port of Bayonne, NJ after completion of a Caribbean cruise itinerary. The matter at issue was whether US Coast Guard helicopter “medevac” evacuation operations were possible and if they could have transported the plaintiff to an appropriate shoreside medical facility in a shorter period of time. Fisher Maritime was engaged to review and analyze information produced in discovery and, in conjunction with Coast Guard helicopter operations experts, to provide expertise in subjects that included marine navigation and customary vessel operations.
Terminal Usage Fee Dispute
A case that entailed a dispute between parties in connection with payment of a Terminal Usage Fee that was set forth in published Tariffs and assessed by the operator of the marine terminal at the Port of Wilmington, DE, against a tenant leasing dock space within the Port. Fisher Maritime was engaged to review and analyze information produced in discovery, perform a site inspection and provide expertise in subjects that included marine petroleum transfer operations and customary marine terminal operations.
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Fisher International Maritime Consultants, LLC (“FIMC”)