Gloucester Personal Injury Lawyer
Muggeo & Associates represents people injured in Gloucester and on Cape Ann, on land and at sea. Gloucester’s working waterfront, commercial fishing fleet, harbor and beaches create injury risks that are different from most North Shore communities, and our firm’s maritime experience is well suited to them.
Commercial Fishing and Maritime Injuries
Commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations in the country. Crew members injured aboard a vessel are often not covered by ordinary state workers’ compensation. Instead, seamen may have rights under federal maritime law, including claims under the Jones Act for an employer’s negligence, claims for an unseaworthy vessel, and “maintenance and cure” benefits for living expenses and medical care while recovering. These claims have their own rules and deadlines. Dock workers, harbor workers and recreational boaters may have different rights again.
Attorney Jared J. Muggeo holds a 100-Ton United States Coast Guard Master license, which gives our firm practical knowledge of vessel operation and navigation when we evaluate a boating or maritime claim.
Roads, Beaches and Seasonal Traffic
Route 128 ends at the Gloucester rotaries, and Route 127 and Washington Street carry traffic around Cape Ann. Summer beach traffic at Good Harbor, Wingaersheek and Long Beach brings crowded parking areas, pedestrians and cyclists on narrow coastal roads. Winter brings icy hills, sidewalks and stairs.
Cases We Handle for Gloucester Residents
- Commercial fishing, maritime and boating injuries
- Car and motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian and bicycle injuries
- Slip-and-fall and snow-and-ice injuries
- Workplace injuries
- Wrongful death
Where a Gloucester Case Is Filed
Civil cases arising in Gloucester are generally heard in the Gloucester District Court at 197 Main Street, which serves Essex, Gloucester and Rockport. Larger claims are typically filed in Essex County Superior Court. Some maritime claims may be brought in federal court.
Frequently Asked Questions
I was hurt on a fishing boat. Is that a workers’ comp claim?
Often not. A crew member who qualifies as a seaman generally looks to federal maritime remedies rather than state workers’ compensation. Whether you qualify depends on your connection to the vessel and your duties. Get advice before signing any release or giving a recorded statement.
Talk With a Gloucester Injury Lawyer
Call Muggeo & Associates at 978-741-1177 or send us a message.
This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.