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Cargo Ship Accidents
Have you or a loved one been hurt in a cargo ship accident on land or while at sea? Maritime workers, including individuals who work on cargo ships, are at a significantly higher risk of injury than those with land-based occupations. There are numerous physical, ergonomic, chemical, and biological dangers present that have the potential to cause catastrophic injuries.
Oftentimes, cargo ship accidents are a result of an employer’s failure to provide workers with a safe work environment. You deserve to be fully compensated for your injuries when an accident results from employer or water vessel operator negligence. You may also be entitled to additional compensation that is only provided under specific maritime law acts.
Reach out to Willie D. Powell III immediately if you have been injured in a cargo ship accident. Willie D. Powell knows maritime law and specializes in helping offshore workers by fighting for their special rights. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can begin building a case to get you all the compensation to which you are entitled.
Container Ship Accidents
Cargo containers can weigh several tons and create a highly dangerous situation when they are not properly secured. Employers and ship vessel operators are responsible for creating the safest work environment possible, through proper training, management, and vessel maintenance.
Improper training or poor ship management can cause ship containers to fall over and result in severe injuries and/or death. There are several other types of common cargo ship accidents that can occur and result in devastating injuries.
Common Cargo Ship Accidents
- Chemical Exposure
- Collisions
- Crushing Accidents
- Electrical Accidents
- Slips and Falls
- Explosions and Fires
- Crane Accidents
Many of these incidents are preventable and could have been avoided through adequate safety measures, proper training, management, and regular machinery maintenance. Ship operators and/or employers are responsible when a worker is injured because many of these incidents could have been avoided.
- Unsecured or Improperly Secured Cargo
- Poor Vessel Maintenance
- Lack of Worker Supervision
- Insufficient Employee Training
- Failure to Enforce Safe Work Practices
- Failure to Maintain Working Equipment
Failure to practice regular and qualified machinery maintenance is the most common cause of cargo ship accidents. There are numerous types of machinery used onboard, including cranes, hoists, engines, and various other dangerous tools. Employers are responsible for ensuring that these machines are in working, safe, and operatable condition. Generally, cargo ship employers are at fault when these pieces of machinery fail and result in serious injury.
Types of Injuries Caused by Cargo Ship Accidents
The injuries sustained after a cargo ship accident can be serious and have life-altering consequences. Cargo ship injuries result in considerable physical, emotional, and long-term financial damages, including the loss of the ability for an individual to perform their previous job responsibilities.
Cargo Accident Injuries Include:
- Amputations
- Back Injuries
- Burns
- Head/Neck Injuries
- Paralysis
- Fractures
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
Cargo ship employers are required to have strict rules and procedures in place to minimize the occurrence of these accidents onboard. These injuries are often a result of employer carelessness and failure to abide by preventative practices. Injured cargo ship workers may also face ongoing emotional damages as a result of their incident. These injuries can lead to depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and more.
Contact Willie D. Powell III immediately if you have suffered from any of these injuries, or another incident while on board a cargo ship, for help today. Willie D. Powell is happy to help you get the compensation that you deserve for your injuries.
Understanding Your Rights in the Event of a Cargo Ship Accident
Maritime workers injured on cargo ships are entitled to additional compensation not covered in general personal injury law. There may be several parties who are legally responsible for accident injury compensation, including employers, vessel operators, or other workers on board. Compensation may be due to lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
Maritime law provides several protections for workers in the event of a cargo ship accident. Knowing and understanding which laws pertain to your case and your rights is crucial after an accident.
Maritime law pertains to all of the laws that protect maritime workers. These laws allow workers to be treated and compensated fairly in the event that they are injured at sea. You are automatically entitled to several rights if you are injured as a result of a cargo ship accident.
Injured Seaman Have A Right To:
- Sue their Employer for Damages
- Maintenance and Cure
- Compensation for Past and Future Medical Expenses
- Sue for Loss of Earning Capacity
Maritime workers also have a right to sue their employer for punitive damages. This compensation is awarded in addition to the other damages in the case. Compensation for punitive damages is unique and depends on the circumstances of the accident.
These rights are provided and detailed under several maritime legal acts, including the Jones Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers Act.
The Jones Act is one of these acts that protect seaman hurt on the job. You are automatically entitled to maintenance and cure while hurting onboard a water vessel. This means that your employer is required to provide wages, expenses for food, shelter, medical care, etc. for the remainder of the expedition. This is required regardless of who is at fault or the limitations caused by your injuries.
The Longshore and Harbor Workers Act protects cargo ship workers who are injured on land or at the dock. This could include individuals who provide maintenance services for ships, such as mechanics, or workers who load cargo onto the ship.
Cargo Ship Accident Lawyer
It is in your best interest to hire a cargo ship accident lawyer who has experience in maritime law to handle your case. Personal injury cases that occur on a cargo ship are complicated and governed under different laws than those that occur on land. Maritime laws are complex and handled under different laws, regulations, and court systems.
Thorough knowledge of these laws is required to navigate these processes and obtain maximum compensation. A cargo ship accident lawyer can help you secure due compensation through several key processes.
Someone is likely responsible for your cargo ship accident and a cargo ship accident lawyer can fight to prove liability. A maritime lawyer can help you gather evidence to prove that your accident could have been avoided if another individual or organization had fulfilled its responsibilities.
A cargo ship personal injury lawyer can help you gather the evidence you need to prove your case and obtain compensation.
Do not accept any offer from your employer or the insurance company before speaking with an experienced cargo ship personal injury lawyer. These individuals work for your employer and are not on your side. Let an experienced maritime lawyer do their job by fighting solely for you.
A cargo ship lawyer has a thorough understanding of maritime law and can fight to get you all of the additional compensation to which you are entitled. This may include compensation for past and future medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Top-Rated Houston Injury Lawyer
Contact Top-Rated Houston injury lawyer Willie D. Powell III today to discuss your cargo ship accident case. Willie D. Powell III understands the ongoing mental and emotional effects of these accidents. It can be tempting to settle with the employer and/or the insurance company during this trying time. However, this is not in your best interest. Your injuries are likely to be worth far more than the insurance company is offering.
A mainstream personal injury lawyer does not have the knowledge or experience to handle these complex cases. Choose experienced Houston personal injury lawyer Willie D. Powell III to help you get the compensation that you deserve for your cargo ship accident.
Contact Willie D. Powell III today to learn more about your rights as an injured maritime worker. Willie D. Powell III was awarded Litigator of the Year by the American Institute of Trial Lawyers and has helped thousands of maritime workers obtain due compensation. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation or case review.
