Working in the maritime industry is very dangerous. Off-shore accidents can be devastating and lead to severe injuries to the workers. This is a risk seamen and maritime workers face every day when doing their jobs. Many of these brave workers live right here in Hammond.
If you are a seaman or maritime worker and have been involved in an off-shore accident, a lawyer from our firm can help. A Hammond seaman injury lawyer can guide you through your compensation claim and provide advice and counsel every step of the way.
Common Seaman Injuries in Maritime Accidents
Maritime accidents can be gruesome and life-changing. Many victims either die or develop lifelong disabilities. Here are some of the most common injuries sustained in maritime accidents:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Broken bones and fractures
- Amputations or loss of limbs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Wrongful death
If you or someone you know is injured in a maritime accident, a Hammond seaman injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation.
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Common Maritime Accidents
Employees working off-shore and at the harbor are at significantly high risk of getting injured or even dying on the job. Not only is the work physically demanding, but they operate heavy machinery and large equipment that could malfunction at any time, requiring alert, properly trained workers to use them successfully.
Many things could go wrong at sea and cause injury to the people involved. Here are some of the most common types of maritime accidents:
Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall accidents cause many injuries in the maritime industry. Sometimes they even lead to the victims falling overboard. They can be caused mainly by slippery, uneven, or cluttered vessel decks. These accidents cause broken bones, spinal cord injuries, head injuries, and even death.
Chemical Burns and Electrocution
These generally occur in a vessel’s engine room or galley. This is because engine rooms often contain harmful chemicals and high voltage equipment. Chemical burns can lead to serious skin injuries, disfigurement, or even death.
Falling Overboard
Slip and fall accidents sometimes end with the victim falling overboard. When such accidents happen, they can lead to hypothermia or death.
Repetitive Motion Accidents
Working at the docks often involves hours of twisting, pulling, and heavy lifting. These can lead to repetitive motion injuries on the hips, back, neck, ankles, and feet. Short-term pain from these can often become long-term problems.
Fires and Explosions
Many highly flammable products like oil are transported by sea. As a result, there’s an occasional explosion when something goes wrong in the transportation, loading, or unloading process. This can also happen if there’s a spill on an oil rig. These explosions are hazardous and rarely leave survivors.
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What Causes Maritime Accidents?
There are many causes of maritime accidents. However, most of the time, human negligence is partially or fully responsible.
Equipment Failure or Unseaworthiness
A vessel owner is responsible for providing their employees with a seaworthy vessel. This includes maintaining it regularly and using industry-standard equipment (numeric tools, wrenches, ropes, stairways, and non-skid decking).
If they try to cut corners or use faulty equipment to save a buck, they risk the lives and safety of their employees and other sea users. Negligent employers should be held accountable.
Inadequate Crew Members
A vessel with an inadequate crew is at risk of developing many complications. Risky maritime work like oil and gas exploration must also be conducted by enough trained and licensed crew. Otherwise, it could lead to disastrous accidents.
Human Error
Human error often results from inadequate training, inexperience, or fatigue from overworking. Even in a world where most of a ship’s control is automated, a competent crew is still vital for its operation.
Many accidents occur because a seaman or ship officer did not respond quickly or appropriately. In most cases, well-trained and experienced personnel have faster reaction times to unexpected events. But even well-trained and experienced officers will not make the best judgments when they’re tired.
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The Jones Act
The Jones Act is a federal law that allows injured seamen to sue a negligent employer directly for compensation. To qualify, you must contribute your work to the success of a navigating vessel and spend at least 30 percent of your working time onboard.
A Hammond seaman injury lawyer can determine if you qualify for the Jones Act and help you build a solid case with the evidence surrounding your accident.
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What Damages Can I Recover After a Seaman Accident?
Maritime accidents can have a huge negative impact on the seaman’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being. As a result, the Jones Act provides for the recovery of damages, including:
- Lost earning capacity: You can pursue this damage if your injuries prevent you from working at your former position.
- Medical bills: This includes all hospital bills, medication, special medical procedures, and surgeries.
- Projected medical bills: If your injuries require long-term treatment, you should be compensated with future medical costs in mind.
- Lost wages: This refers to the wages you would have earned if you were not injured. It takes into account the time you spent in the hospital and any other time you were off work due to the injuries.
- Pain and suffering: You can recover these damages if you have suffered greatly due to the injuries. Some injuries take a long and painful process to heal, and can even affect your mental health.
Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we proudly serve the Hammond area. If you or a loved one is involved in a maritime accident, we can help. Let our seaman injury lawyers take on your injury case so you can focus on resting and healing from your injuries. Call today to schedule a free consultation.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
