Maritime Lawsuits Resulting from Slips, Trips and Falls
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Maritime lawsuits can result from seamen being injured by slips, trips and falls while on the job.
Seamen and ship workers can bring maritime lawsuits against their employers, ship owners or other parties when hurt on the job. Among the accidents that may lead to these claims are slips, trips and falls. Because of slippery decks, poorly maintained equipment and many other onboard hazards, maritime workers may be exposed to dangers and hazards constantly while on the job.
When injured as a result of negligence, workers can file maritime lawsuits to seek compensation for their injuries, medical bills, lost wages and other damages they’ve incurred.
How Slips, Trips and Falls Happen
Maritime workers have dangerous jobs as it is. Weather, heavy equipment and machinery, and highly physical work requirements present daily hazards for seamen, offshore oil workers and other maritime employees. Still, some of the most dangerous threats are slip and fall accidents.
Slips, trips and falls may occur when:
• decks are slippery from oil, rain, fish slime, leaks, hydraulic spills and more;
• workers lift heavy equipment or pulling lines and lose their footing;
• there is debris or other hazards in workspaces or on deck;
• equipment fails, is defective or is poorly maintained;
• an elevated platform or board is unsecured; and
• heavy rains or rough seas cause workers to be jostled about the vessel.
These incidents can have painful and long-lasting consequences for maritime workers, leaving them with cuts, bruises, broken bones and even permanent paralysis. In extreme cases, a slip and/or fall can lead to drowning or death.
Filing Maritime Lawsuits for Slips, Trips and Falls
Under the Jones Act, injured maritime workers are automatically due what are called maintenance and cure benefits. These go toward workers' daily living costs while injured, as well as their medical costs until they’ve reached “maximum medical cure,” which refers to the point at which a doctor deems their condition can improve no longer.
Maritime lawsuits can be complicated. You can file a claim only if your injuries resulted from employer negligence or because the vessel on which you worked was unseaworthy, according to the appropriate standards.
If you’re considering filing a lawsuit, it’s important to speak to a Louisiana maritime attorney as soon as possible to see if you have grounds for a claim. Additionally, if your employer refuses to give you maintenance and cure benefits, you also may consider filing a lawsuit.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Timothy Young
Maritime and admiralty lawyer Timothy J. Young graduated cum laude from Tulane Law School in 1993. Licensed to practice in both Louisiana and Texas, he is an active member of the American Association for Justice and the Louisiana Association for Justice, including the admiralty sections of both associations. Mr. Young has given talks to lawyers in other states regarding the practice of maritime law.
At The Young Firm, our maritime and admiralty attorneys are dedicated to providing superior legal counsel to clients injured as a result of another party's reckless, careless, or negligent conduct. We meticulously prepare each case and are committed to protecting the rights of the catastrophically injured. For more than 50 years, our attorneys have been focusing on the practice of maritime / admiralty law.
Copyright The Young Firm
More information about The Young Firm
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
When injured as a result of negligence, workers can file maritime lawsuits to seek compensation for their injuries, medical bills, lost wages and other damages they’ve incurred.
How Slips, Trips and Falls Happen
Maritime workers have dangerous jobs as it is. Weather, heavy equipment and machinery, and highly physical work requirements present daily hazards for seamen, offshore oil workers and other maritime employees. Still, some of the most dangerous threats are slip and fall accidents.
Slips, trips and falls may occur when:
• decks are slippery from oil, rain, fish slime, leaks, hydraulic spills and more;
• workers lift heavy equipment or pulling lines and lose their footing;
• there is debris or other hazards in workspaces or on deck;
• equipment fails, is defective or is poorly maintained;
• an elevated platform or board is unsecured; and
• heavy rains or rough seas cause workers to be jostled about the vessel.
These incidents can have painful and long-lasting consequences for maritime workers, leaving them with cuts, bruises, broken bones and even permanent paralysis. In extreme cases, a slip and/or fall can lead to drowning or death.
Filing Maritime Lawsuits for Slips, Trips and Falls
Under the Jones Act, injured maritime workers are automatically due what are called maintenance and cure benefits. These go toward workers' daily living costs while injured, as well as their medical costs until they’ve reached “maximum medical cure,” which refers to the point at which a doctor deems their condition can improve no longer.
Maritime lawsuits can be complicated. You can file a claim only if your injuries resulted from employer negligence or because the vessel on which you worked was unseaworthy, according to the appropriate standards.
If you’re considering filing a lawsuit, it’s important to speak to a Louisiana maritime attorney as soon as possible to see if you have grounds for a claim. Additionally, if your employer refuses to give you maintenance and cure benefits, you also may consider filing a lawsuit.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Timothy Young
Maritime and admiralty lawyer Timothy J. Young graduated cum laude from Tulane Law School in 1993. Licensed to practice in both Louisiana and Texas, he is an active member of the American Association for Justice and the Louisiana Association for Justice, including the admiralty sections of both associations. Mr. Young has given talks to lawyers in other states regarding the practice of maritime law.
At The Young Firm, our maritime and admiralty attorneys are dedicated to providing superior legal counsel to clients injured as a result of another party's reckless, careless, or negligent conduct. We meticulously prepare each case and are committed to protecting the rights of the catastrophically injured. For more than 50 years, our attorneys have been focusing on the practice of maritime / admiralty law.
Copyright The Young Firm
More information about The Young Firm
View all articles published by The Young Firm
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
