Two Maritime Workers are Killed in Separate Accidents in Seattle Washington

Posted in Maritime Accidents,Washington Maritime News on May 21, 2012

SEATTLE, Wash. —  A maritime worker, who was a forklift driver at the Port of Seattle, was fatally injured when he became trapped between a container and forklift, according to Hector Castro, a spokesman for the Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). The victim was taken to Harborview Medical Center for treatment of his injuries, but he did not survive.

Southwest facing view of the Port of Seattle.

The accident happened on Thursday, May 17, at Terminal 18 at the Port of Seattle and was shut down for 24 hours.

Map showing location of Terminal 18 in the Port of Seattle where a maritime worker was killed in an accident on May 17, 2012.

The accident remains under investigation at this time.

Another maritme worker was killed on the same day in an unrelated maritime accident.

q13fox.com reports:

Castro said that the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the other accident since it happened on the water, which is considered to be under the purview of the federal agency rather than state.

The victim involved in the second accident died while washing a boat. OSHA did not confirm if the victim was male or female. An OSHA spokesperson said their investigation could take six months.

Neither victim has been identified until next-of-kin is notified.


Maritime injury attorneys, Gordon & Elias, L.L.P. work with Jones Act clients nationwide. Maritime workers who are injured in the course and scope of their work aboard a floating vessel are protected under a federal law known as the Jones Act. Whether you are a deckhand or the captain of a vessel, this protection grants you legal recourse to recover compensation when you suffer accidental injury through the negligence of another. For more information, talk to an expert maritime injury lawyer 24/7 at 800.773.6770.