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Deckhand Accidents

Deckhands are essential crewmembers on commercial shipping boats, cargo vessels, barges, cruise ships, and more. These maritime workers are responsible for performing an extensive number of job-related tasks, including cleaning, assisting in equipment operations, and running errands for ship officers.

Maritime work is dangerous. Ship deckhands are at a significantly increased risk of suffering from an on-the-job injury due to their exposure to the elements. Deckhands could also be responsible for assisting with dangerous job-related tasks, including operating heavy machinery.

There are several different types of accidents that could result in serious illnesses and injuries on board a ship. Common injuries include musculoskeletal ailments, crane injuries, catastrophic accidents, and more. These injuries may result in serious, lingering, disabilities.

Deckhands are entitled to certain legal rights when they are hurt on a water vessel. Compensation may be due for lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and various other damages. These rights are not governed or protected under traditional land-based personal injury law. Water vessel workers are protected under an area of law known as Maritime Law.

Contact a Houston Maritime Lawyer if you or a loved one has been hurt in a deckhand accident. Willie D. Powells III is Houston’s choice for bold, compassionate, and reliable maritime legal representation. Contact Willie D. Powells III today and allow an experienced maritime lawyer to fight for your legal rights.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Deckhand Accidents

The majority of deckhand accidents are a result of human error and machinery failures. There may be several parties who could be held liable for deckhand accidents, including the ship operator, equipment manufacturers, or another crew member.

Deckhand accidents can result in serious injuries and lingering physical, mental, and emotional damages.

Forms of Employer Negligence

Deckhands work in a face-paced and dangerous work environment. Employers are responsible for minimizing the risks associated with these job processes. An employer’s failure to meet their responsibilities for providing a safe work environment is known as negligence liability. Employer negligence refers to any form of failing to prevent a foreseeable accident and/or injury.

  • Failure to Enforce OSHA Safety Regulations
  • Inadequate Training
  • Failure to Inspect, Repair, and/or Replace Equipment
  • Lack of Personal Protective Gear
  • Unsafe Environment
  • Operating in Unsafe Weather Conditions

For example, a slip and fall accident on the deck could become a fatal overboard accident, if adequate safety railing is not in place.

  • Physical Assault
  • Intentional Failure to Follow Safety Practices
  • Other Risky/Unsafe Behaviors

Equipment Manufacturers

In some cases, equipment failures occur, regardless of environmental precautions. Equipment failures that occur without warning may be a result of a manufacturing defect.

Equipment manufacturers may be liable for damages when an accident occurs as a result of a product defect.

Common Causes of Deckhand Accidents

Deckhands may be exposed to several potentially dangerous elements in the maritime industry. There are numerous types of accidents that threaten the

There are numerous incidents that could occur and result in serious injuries.

Ship deckhands are exposed to a large number of people, objects, and environments. This high-exposure environment significantly increases the risk of contracting a viral and/or bacterial illness. These illnesses may result from poor ship hygiene practices, lack of protocol, food poisoning, or other incidents.

Some of these illnesses can result in serious internal infections that cause long-term devastating effects on bodily systems.

Deckhands also spend a significant amount of time on the ship deck. This increases the risk of becoming a victim of a weather-related accident.

For example, slips and falls, overboard incidents, and accidents with heavy machinery are significantly more likely to occur during a storm. Other catastrophic accidents, including ship collisions and grounding, are also more likely to occur due to decreased visibility.

Deckhands are responsible for numerous ship-related tasks, including assisting with basic ship equipment procedures. This generally involves cleaning the deck, tying and untying the vessel down at the port, and operating heavy machinery.

Deckhands are at a significant risk of suffering from an overuse injury due to their line of work. Maritime workers often perform laborious and repetitive job tasks. These elements, in addition to long hours, put workers at an increased risk of suffering from musculoskeletal injuries.

The majority of these injuries result in chronic, lingering pain, and eventually leave workers unable to return to their jobs.

Slippery ship decks are a common cause of slip and fall accidents. Slips and falls can lead to broken bones, torn ligaments, and/or even overboard accidents. Slips and falls are generally a result of an error on behalf of another crew member and/or the employer’s failure to enforce safety measures after a spill.

Slips and falls can also occur when ship operators knowingly travel into a storm system.

Other unsafe work environment practices, such as equipment stacked on the ground, can also cause deckhand falls and injuries.

Deckhand slip and fall accidents could result in numerous injuries, including broken bones, lacerations, back injuries, and more.

Poorly-stacked cargo can lead to numerous accidents and serious injuries, including broken bones, crushing injuries, and death. Employers are generally responsible for any serious injury that results from a cargo accident.

Maritime deck workers are at a significant risk of suffering from serious injuries in the event of a ship collision. These injuries can be especially serious in circumstances involving heavy machinery, falls from heights, and overboard accidents.

Many accidents that result in serious injuries involve some form of heavy machinery or equipment. These accidents could result from inadequate training, poor management, and/or insufficient equipment repairs and maintenance.

Failure to maintain adequate safety gear can result in serious injury-causing accidents. OSHA requires water vessel operators to make safety gear available for all workers and other ship passengers, including:

  • Life Jackets
  • Lifeboats
  • Rescue Lines
  • Immersion Suits
  • Job-Related Personal Protective Equipment

Deckhands are at significant risk of suffering from a catastrophic accident on the job. These accidents result in serious injuries, including burns, amputations, and death. Examples of catastrophic accidents may include:

  • Collisions
  • Falls-from-Heights
  • Fires/Explosions
  • Grounding
  • Overboard Accidents

Compensation for Losses in Deckhand Accidents

Deckhands who are injured on a water vessel are guaranteed compensation under maritime law. All workers who are injured on land and at sea are protected under these laws, including deckhands on cargo boats, barges, cruise ships, fishing boats, or any other water vessel.

There are several types of compensation that you may be entitled to receive, depending on the circumstances in your case.

All ship crewmembers are entitled to maintenance and cure when they are injured at sea. This is guaranteed, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the accident. Maintenance and cure is a provision that requires employers to cover medical costs and basic living expenses in the event of an on-the-job accident or illness.

Injured deckhands may be entitled to compensation for past, current, and future medical expenses related to their injury or illness. This may include expenses related to medical care, rehabilitation costs, and/or fees associated with transportation.

Compensation may be due for past or future lost wages if your injuries or illness results in disability.

On-the-job injuries and illnesses can lead to numerous mental and emotional damages. Compensation for pain and suffering may be due when a maritime deckhand accident results in anxiety, PTSD, depression, or another mental health issue.

You may also be due additional compensation for punitive damages, depending on the circumstances of your case. For example, punitive damages may be awarded if an injury occurs as a result of a deliberate, violent, or otherwise intentional act.

Rights for Injured Maritime Workers

Workers who are injured while working on or near a water vessel are entitled to specific legal rights under maritime law. Which laws are applicable for your unique claim will be determined by the unique circumstances in your case.

Injured deckhands have a legal right to recover to the point of maximum medical improvement. During this time, employers are required to provide medical care and a percentage of your wages until your condition reaches its maximum improvement potential.

Oftentimes, medical practitioners that are employed by your employer will attempt to push workers back to work too soon to avoid paying workers for longer than they are required to. Do not let your employer force you back to work too soon. Always seek an outside medical opinion as soon as possible if you have been injured in a deckhand accident.

Under maritime law, injured deckhands have the legal right to sue their employer when negligence played a role in the accident. It is important to note that the employer is not required to bear all responsibility for the accident. Any form of negligence that contributed to the accident is grounds for legal liability.

You may be entitled to compensation if your loved one died as a result of an accident at sea. Surviving relatives are entitled to legal protection when a loved one dies at sea under the Death on the High Seas Act.

Texas Deck Collapse Accident Lawyer

Willie D. Powells III is a compassionate personal injury lawyer who understands the physical, financial, and emotional damages that these accidents cause. The claims process doesn’t have to be stressful. Contact an experienced maritime personal injury claims lawyer to fight for you while you recover.

You deserve to rest and recover without the stress of dealing with your employer and the insurance company. Do not face these stressors alone. Reach out to Willie D. Powells III today for help navigating the maritime legal claims process.

Willie D. Powells III is compassionate and will work hard to get you maximum compensation for deckhand accident injuries. Willie D. Powells will help you gather the evidence that you need to prove that someone is liable for your injuries.

You deserve to have the best Texas Deck Collapse Accident Lawyer on your side. Compensation may be due for lost wages, pain and suffering, medical bills, and more.

Reach out today, even if you have already accepted a payout for less than your case is worth. Additional compensation may still be available for your injuries. Contact Willie D. Powells III today and allow an experienced maritime personal injury lawyer to pursue maximum compensation for your claim. Call 281-881-2457 today for more information.

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