Working in the maritime industry can be a rewarding and lucrative career. However, it is also known for being high-risk. Injuries and accidents are common in this industry. Regardless of the risk, many accidents and injuries can be avoided with proper safety training and procedures. If you are injured in a maritime accident, and your employer was negligent, you may be able to recover damages. The most common types of maritime accidents include:
- Dock and pier accidents – These are one of the most common types of maritime accidents. Workers often load and unload heavy cargo, which can lead to accidents. Vehicle accidents are also frequent among pier and dock workers.
- Chemical burns – Chemical burns are common in the maritime industry. A worker may get burned for several reasons, including exposure to harmful chemicals, contact with hot oils and electrical accidents.
- Slip and fall accidents – The decks of ships and vessels can be slippery. Sometimes, things like clutter and uneven surfaces contribute to slip and fall accidents. A slip and fall accident can be devastating resulting in severe injuries like broken bones, spinal cord injuries and even death.
There are a wide variety of injuries that can occur during maritime work. Some types of injuries are more common than others.
- Head injuries – Head injuries are one of the most frequently occurring types of maritime injury. They occur due to slip and fall, dock and other kinds of accidents.
- Shoulder injuries – Sometimes shoulder injuries occur when a worker gets knocked into heavy equipment.
- Neck injuries – Neck injuries could happen for a variety of reasons, such as getting knocked around while working on a winch.
- Broken bones – Overboard accidents and slip and fall accidents often result in broken bones.
- Burns – Burns commonly occur because of the nature of the work. Maritime employees are often working around hot oils, dangerous chemicals and more.
- Lost limbs – Lost limbs are one of the most devastating kinds of maritime injuries.
What Should You Do After A Maritime Accident?
After an accident, you might feel depressed, anxious or in disbelief. With the stress or worrying about your ability to work and your injury, you could do something to hurt your ability to get compensation for your injuries. Here are some tips from a Jones Act lawyer New Orleans.
- Report the accident to your immediate supervisor or manager
- See a doctor as soon as possible
- Do not give a statement to your employer or your employer’s insurance company
- File a maritime accident claim
- Talk with a maritime injury lawyer
Maritime law protects workers who are injured at work. The Jones Act allows you to receive compensation for injuries if they were due to employer negligence. For more information on your rights under the Jones Act, talk to a Jones Act lawyer New Orleans today.
