Working in a maritime environment comes with many risks. Heavy equipment on a vessel can cause struck-by incidents. Chemical exposure, interpersonal violence and environmental hazards are also all safety concerns. The vessel itself can be a hazard if fleet owners don’t invest in adequate maintenance.
Falls overboard are among the most dangerous incidents that occur in maritime environments. Professionals working on vessels ranging from cruise ships to cargo vessels could fall overboard due to large waves, slippery surfaces and other hazards. People who fall overboard sometimes die.
Others are fortunate enough to survive but may have significant injuries. The three injuries below are among the most common when maritime professionals fall overboard.
1. Traumatic brain injuries
Falling into the ocean from a significant elevation is like falling onto a hard surface. The impact can cause blunt force trauma and an assortment of different physical injuries. People may injure their brains when they strike the water. They could also potentially hit their heads on the vessel as they fall. As if that weren’t enough risk, those who go into the water for extended periods could develop brain injuries as a result of protracted oxygen deprivation.
2. Broken bones
The force of impact when falling into the ocean can be enough to cause fractures. Factors, including the height involved and the underlying medical conditions of the employee, may influence the severity of the fractures that develop. The bone might break in one or multiple locations. People could also sustain open or compound fractures where the bone cuts through the skin. Even simple fractures generally take eight weeks or longer to fully heal. More serious fractures may require surgery and could create permanent functional limitations.
3. Spinal cord injuries
Falling from an elevation can easily lead to neck or back injuries. People could crush, tear or pinch their spinal cords. Spinal cord injuries differ in severity based on the location of the injury on the spine and whether the injury fully severs the spinal cord.
Those injured in a fall overboard while working may have the option of pursuing a Jones Act lawsuit for compensation. Reviewing the circumstances of a maritime workplace injury with a skilled legal team could help professionals explore their options and recoup some of their losses.