The Seafarers' Union of Russia assisted a seafarer to get $140,000 in compensation for an occupational injury

A year ago, a member of the Seafarers' Union of Russia, captain of the Norwegian vessel Dina Trader Vitaly Zverev, sustained a severe back injury during a storm; after a while, he lost the ability to walk. The shipowner, Myklebusthang Management AS, refused to pay compensation, citing an "absence of evidence." However, thanks to smart recommendations, legal assistance, and the ongoing support of the Seafarers' Union of Russia, the captain was able to prepare necessary documents, passed a medical examination, and achieved $140,000 compensation. 

At first, the injury seemed minor to Zverev V. as he only had weakness and tingling in his legs. But a few days later he could no longer walk normally: the seafarer was signed off from the vessel due to illness in the port of Algeria and repatriated to his homeland. Following the examination at the clinic of Pavlov First St.Petersburg State Medical University he was diagnosed with a serious illness. The diagnosis made by doctors was disappointing: the captain would never be able to work at sea again. 

According to the Seafarers' Union of Russia collective bargaining agreement, which was in effect on the vessel, compensation of up to $140,000 is provided in the event of a disability resulting from occupational activity. Nevertheless, the captain encountered unexpected issues when applied to the shipowner. The company did not want to admit that the injury was work-related, claiming that there was no evidence that it was the hit during the storm that caused the illness. In addition, the Norwegian insurance company refused to accept Russian medical reports, demanding an examination by a Russian doctor authorized by Norway. 

At that point, the captain, who was already moving around in a wheelchair, contacted the Baltic Territorial Organization of the Seafarers' Union of Russia. It should be noted that he has been a member of the Seafarers' Union of Russia since 1999. 

The union responded promptly: lawyers prepared an official request to the company, referring to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, engaged the SUR Foreign Relations Department, and the latter established contact with Norwegian colleagues.

It turned out that in Russia there are only three doctors whose reports are recognized in Norway: two of them were in Arkhangelsk and one was in Moscow. Since it was very difficult for the captain in his condition to go to Moscow, the Union arranged for him a medical examination at the Admiral Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping. Then the medical documents were sent to an authorized doctor in Moscow, who confirmed the total disability of the seafarer. 

Only after that, the insurance company finally recognized the case as an insured event and agreed to pay compensation. However, a new difficulty arose: transfer in dollars was impossible due to sanctions. The Union assisted the seafarer to negotiate a transfer of compensation in euros, and, eventually, the captain got the money. 

Vitaly Zverev expressed gratitude to the SUR BTO and said: 

— Without the assistance and legal support of the Union, I would most likely have been left without the compensation I was entitled to. I can no longer work at sea, but I do have financial support now that will help me get by.

Photo: mmred.no