Maritime Accidents

Maritime workers face a range of challenges every day, and the job comes with a high risk of serious injury. Specific legislation protects their right to seek out compensation for damages that occur at sea. The Jones Act provides sailors, dockworkers, and other mariners with the opportunity to find relief for the financial burdens in the wake of an injury on the ocean.

Vessels at sea and bustling docks both carry the potential for maritime accidents. With heavy machinery at work, slippery surfaces, and tiring labor, workers face the possibility of injuries on a daily basis. All workers on the ocean, from barges to oilrigs and fishing vessels, could be hurt on the job, even among the most diligent crew.

Common maritime accidents include:

• Slipping and falling, especially on wet decks
• Falling from a height
• Burn injuries
• Being struck by debris or machinery
• Getting caught in or crushed by heavy machinery
• Drowning

When a mariner is injured, they face the possibility of both long and short-term issues, such as high medical costs and a loss of income if they are unable to return to work. Whether work injuries include minor damage that still allows daily work or a permanent impairment, it is important that mariners seek out compensation for injuries sustained on the job.

Injuries at sea include:

• Head injury
• Traumatic brain injury
• Neck, back, or spine trauma
• Lacerations
• Broken bones
• Burns
• Exposure to toxic chemicals or fumes

In the dangerous area of maritime work, any negligence can lead to a disaster. Manufacturers, supervisors, employers, and other parties are responsible for providing a workplace as safe as possible. When they fail to uphold their duty, sailors face the dire consequences.

Negligence contributing to a maritime accident may include:

• Lack of or faulty safety equipment
• Failure to properly train crew
• Lack of maintenance or inspections of machinery and vessels
• Illegal modifications made to vessels
• Failure to provide adequate lifeboats or flotation devices
• Inadequate number of crew, preventing workers from resting

Legal Counsel for Victims of Maritime Accidents

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed at sea, the injury attorneys of The Gutierrez Law Firm can help you determine which parties are liable. With years of experience in maritime law and offshore injuries, they can confidently review your case, advise you on how to proceed, and represent you through each step of the process ahead.