Florida Seaman Sues Yacht Operator and Owner After Slip and Fall Boarding 102-Foot Atlas in Massachusetts
Aidan Clarke, a Florida resident, has filed a maritime injury lawsuit against Cabinet Cove, LLC and Ofir Levy in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 0:25-cv-61206-RS, claims Clarke suffered severe injuries when he slipped and fell while boarding the luxury motor yacht Atlas in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Yacht Deckhand Injured Boarding 102-Foot Atlas Due to Wet and Unsafe Entry Point
According to the complaint, Clarke was employed as a deckhand on the Atlas, a 102-foot Cantiere Delle Marche motor yacht registered in the Marshall Islands. On August 13, 2024, while attempting to board the vessel, Clarke slipped on a wet deck and struck his chest on a steel railing, resulting in two fractured ribs and significant chest trauma. He immediately reported the incident to the captain and received emergency medical treatment at a nearby hospital. The lawsuit alleges that despite medical orders restricting his activities, Clarke was forced to return to full duty within a week, worsening his condition.
Defendants Accused of Failing to Maintain a Safe Boarding Area and Withholding Medical Payments
Clarke alleges that Cabinet Cove, LLC and Ofir Levy failed to provide a safe method for boarding the yacht. The entry point lacked proper non-slip surfacing, a gangway, or any safety equipment to prevent crew injuries during wet conditions. The complaint further asserts that the vessel owners and operators ignored established maritime safety standards by failing to inspect and maintain safe boarding conditions, failing to dock the yacht securely, and failing to provide warnings or crew training to avoid slip and fall hazards.
In addition to the unsafe boarding conditions, Clarke claims the defendants violated their maritime duties by refusing to pay his medical bills despite multiple assurances from the captain. When Clarke pressed for payment, he was given an ultimatum: pay the bills himself or lose his job. Ultimately, he was terminated and left with unpaid medical expenses and credit damage as a result.
Lawsuit Alleges Jones Act Negligence, Unseaworthiness, and Failure to Provide Maintenance and Cure for Injured Crew
The complaint brings four counts under the Jones Act and general maritime law: negligence, unseaworthiness, failure to provide maintenance and cure, and failure to provide prompt medical treatment. Clarke alleges that the Atlas was unseaworthy because it lacked a safe boarding system and proper safety procedures. He further argues that the vessel’s owner and operator failed to meet their absolute duty to pay for his medical treatment until he reached maximum medical improvement, and willfully ignored their obligations despite formal demands.
As a result, Clarke claims permanent injuries, ongoing medical costs, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and emotional distress from both his injuries and his abrupt termination. He seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages for the alleged willful refusal to provide maintenance and cure, and attorneys’ fees.
Injured Yacht Crew Members May Be Entitled to Compensation for Unsafe Boarding Conditions and Employer Negligence
Maritime law protects seamen and yacht crew members who are injured due to unsafe vessel conditions, negligent maintenance, or denial of rightful medical care and living expenses. Yacht operators and owners are legally required to ensure safe boarding areas and pay medical expenses promptly when a crew member is hurt in service to the vessel. If you or a loved one suffered an injury while working on a yacht or other vessel and your employer failed to provide proper treatment or pay your medical bills, our experienced maritime lawyers can help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today to speak with a Florida maritime injury attorney.
