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Potential Injury Hazards Abound Aboard Ship
The potential dangers and injuries aboard a seagoing ship are many. Large ships are floating communities where anything can happen.
Many maritime injuries are caused by:
- Slips, trips and falls. A boat or ship may have many wet, slippery, moving and uneven decks, stairways and other surfaces. Falling to the deck can cause fractures, back or spine injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and more. Falling from a vessel can lead to drowning, near-drowning, hypothermia or injury from sea creatures (jellyfish, sharks, lionfish, etc.). Falls and the resulting impact injuries are also likely in a collision, grounding or sinking.
- Toxic chemicals. Chemicals in cargo and ship cleaning agents, scale removers and solvents are toxic substances that may cause injury if inhaled (often in a confined space), and by corrosive skin or eye contact.
- Moving, swinging and falling objects. Activity on a ship’s upper decks involving derricks and cranes, such as loading and offloading goods and materials from cargo ships, can cause injuries from fallen or moving tools, equipment, materials and cargo. Many such accidents happen because of faulty rigging due to poor maintenance, lack of training or improper supervision of personnel involved.
- Enclosed spaces. Cargo areas and other enclosed spaces below deck may lack proper ventilation and become contaminated by carbon dioxide buildup and oxygen deficiency, flammable or explosive vapors or toxic gasses. They also frequently lack easy escape or rescue access. Asphyxiation, poisoning, fires and explosions that occur aboard ships often originate in enclosed spaces.
- Burns and electrical injuries. Thermal burns among the crew aboard a ship are typically caused by fire, explosions or scalding in the engine room, and from contact with hot fluids or objects in the galley. Electric arc or explosions as well as contact with AC or DC current can also cause burn injuries, as well as electrical shock or electrocution. Toxic chemicals also cause contact burns. Fires often lead to smoke-inhalation injuries and deaths.
Contact an Experienced South Carolina Attorney for Your Maritime Injury
If you or a loved one of yours has been injured in an accident that occurred offshore, you should discuss it with a maritime accident lawyer at Joye Law Firm. Several federal laws address compensating seamen who are injured while working aboard ships and other vessels, while others protect the rights of commercial ships’ passengers. Maritime injury cases are often complex and require experienced legal help to ensure justice is done.
Joye Law Firm wants to help you obtain the compensation you deserve under the law. Call Joye Law Firm now or use this online contact form to set up a meeting for a free review of your case today.
