Train & Maritime Accident Attorneys in WA

Case: “H.” v. Railroad
Result: Confidential settlement

The railroad is required to make sure the workplace is safe for workers to do their jobs. “H.” was a dedicated worker, skilled in his craft. When H. went to do his job, the work surface was left with unsafe holes, which were not visible at night.

As H. was going to perform an assigned duty, he stepped into the hole and suffered injuries to his leg and knee. Extensive medical treatment was required as a result of the extent of the injuries.

It was first denied that the workplace was unsafe, however, during litigation, documents were uncovered establishing H.’s case and leading to settlement.

The confidential settlement, obtained by Kevin Coluccio, was the largest known in-service settlement for an injured worker from this railroad at the time.

The railroad is required to make sure the workplace is safe for workers to do their jobs.  Hannula was a dedicated worker, skilled in his craft.  When Hannula went to do his job, the work surface was left with unsafe holes, which were not visible at night.

As Hannula was going to perform an assigned duty, he stepped into the hole and suffered injuries to his leg and knee.  Extensive medical treatment was required as a result of the extent of the injuries.

It was first denied that the workplace was unsafe, however, during litigation, documents were uncovered establishing Hannula’s case and leading to settlement.

The confidential settlement, obtained by Kevin Coluccio, was the largest known in-service settlement for an injured worker from this railroad at the time.

Case: Carter v. Fishing Company
Result: Confidential settlement

A crew of 5 were traveling to fishing grounds from Seattle, Washington, when their boat began to take on water. The crew made every effort to keep the boat afloat, but it sank off the coast of Canada.

Waves were high, but the entire crew was able to make it to a lifeboat. As the seas became heavier, the lifeboat flipped and the crew was thrown out into the water. Again,  were able to make it back into the lifeboat, but lost some of the survival gear stowed in the lifeboat.

The crew remained adrift in the open seas for 5 days. They survived by drinking rainwater. At one point they were able to catch a seagull and ate it raw.

They did not see or hear any other boats until the 5^th day. When they heard another boat and finally saw it crossing their path, they fired a flare gun to catch the crew’s attention and were saved.

Each of the crewmembers suffered from dehydration and a lack of nutrition, and emotional damage.

Detailed photographs of the boat prior to the journey and while it was in dry dock established that the depth markings on the bow of the boat were wrong. In addition, the scuppers on deck were faulty. They did not allow for water washed on deck to drain properly.

Kevin Coluccio reached a settlement on behalf of two of the crewmembers.

Case: Estate v. Arctic
Result: Confidential settlement

The tragic sinking of a vessel resulted in the loss of its entire crew.

Through investigation and interviews with former crewmembers, numerous unsafe conditions were uncovered.

The surviving family members and their attorneys, including attorney Kevin Coluccio, worked with the Coast Guard to discover how and why the vessel sank. A settlement was ultimately reached for each of the deaths.

Case: Medina v. Fishing Company
Result: Confidential settlement

A young crewmember lost most of his hand when it was crushed in a machine.

The worker was properly doing his job when a co-worker activated the hydraulics on a press machine while the worker was placing a pan in the press to be re-formed.

The press was not equipped with the required safety devices. The press operator could not see the actions of the young crewmember.

Regulations required that the machine have proper safety devices, and the workers be properly trained.  These workers had been given no training.

Multiple surgeries were required to save a portion of the crewmember’s hand.  Through extensive rehabilitation, he was able to learn how to use a robotics device that would give him a significant amount of the hand function lost by the injury.

Kevin Coluccio earned him a settlement to take care of his future rehabilitation and robotic devices, and help him to provide for his young son.  Additionally, because of this case, it is likely that the machine will be properly equipped with safety devices, and safety training will be provided to the crewmembers using the machine.