A workplace injury at New York Water Tours has led to a $6 million lawsuit, after former employee Jose Castillo lost a finger while performing docking duties for the sightseeing boat company.
According to court filings, Castillo was injured while attempting to secure a vessel to the dock. The lawsuit states that a sudden and forceful movement of the boat pulled the rope he was holding, resulting in the loss of his finger.
The case, which is now before Manhattan Supreme Court, raises concerns about employee safety in New York’s maritime tourism industry. Castillo’s attorneys argue that the company failed to provide the necessary safety training and protective measures to prevent such accidents.
“The company had a duty to protect its workers and failed to do so,” his attorney said in a statement. “This injury has left our client permanently disabled, and he deserves fair compensation for the suffering, medical costs, and lost income he will endure.”
New York Water Tours has not issued a public response to the claims. Meanwhile, workplace advocates suggest the lawsuit highlights broader risks faced by employees who handle docking operations and other high-risk tasks in the city’s busy waterfront tourism sector.
The lawsuit seeks $6 million in damages, covering medical expenses, permanent disability, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
Court proceedings are expected to continue in the coming months. The outcome could influence how sightseeing operators and similar companies address safety standards and liability in cases of workplace accidents.
