There are countless hazards in a maritime work environment. Workers on cargo ships and fishing vessels are often at risk of getting swept or thrown overboard. They are at risk if the vessel capsizes due to waves or is in unseaworthy condition. They may need to handle dangerous equipment or get exposed to hazardous chemicals.
Certain types of incidents are especially common in maritime environments. Struck-by incidents are a common safety concern in most blue-collar professions. Those working on sea-going vessels could end up struck by heavy moving equipment or even cargo containers that shift due to weather conditions. The three serious injuries below may follow a struck-by incident and may leave a worker in need of compensation for both maintenance and cure.
1. Fractures
Blunt force trauma caused by heavy equipment or moving cargo containers can easily break bones in the human body. Even a glancing impact can be enough to break a bone in multiple locations. Those with fractures may be unable to perform key job functions safely. They may require leave for eight weeks or longer while their injuries heal.
2. Crush injuries
When items move rapidly on shifting cargo ships, workers can sustain crush injuries after accidental contact. Crush injuries can cause severe fractures where the bone breaks into many pieces. They can damage connective tissue, muscles and nerves. Severe crush injuries can even force the amputation of the damaged body part. Even with intensive treatment, workers with crush injuries may have permanently diminished function due to lost strength and nerve damage.
3. Brain injuries
If a moving object hits a worker’s head, the trauma can lead to bleeding or swelling inside the skull. Left untreated, that mounting pressure inside the head can cause permanent changes to the structure of the brain. Traumatic brain injuries from struck-by incidents can produce a variety of life-altering symptoms. They also generally do not result in a full recovery if the injury is severe enough to change the structure of the brain instead of just causing temporary inflammation.
Injured professionals seeking maintenance and cure under the Jones Act often need help calculating their losses and seeking compensation from their employers. Reporting a struck-by incident and seeking legal guidance are, therefore, both generally critical for the protection of those hurt in an offshore work environment.