Having a vessel capsize or sink is a dangerous scenario that could happen to maritime workers performing their duties while in navigable waters. For many, such incidents never happen. However, others have dealt with the trauma and tragedy associated with a capsized or sinking vessel.
For example, in early September of 2019, a 656-foot vehicle carrier ship known as the Golden Ray overturned off the coast of Brunswick, Georgia, with crewmembers initially trapped inside of the overturned vessel. The ship had 24 people onboard, including 23 crew members and one pilot. Fortunately, the trapped crew workers were rescued after the Coast Guard’s intense rescue efforts. The rescuers performed taps on the ship’s hull to try and find the crew’s location. Finally, once they received return taps, rescuers could drill a hole into the hull and eventually rescue the crew. Although their lives were spared, some crew members sustained injuries.
In another example, a cruise ship on the Yangtze River overturned during a severe storm. It was carrying over 450 people. Many passengers were injured, died, or went missing. Unfortunately, there are other stories like this one and the Golden Ray where maritime workers were hurt. The experienced maritime attorneys at Willis Law Firm help fight for the rights of injured crew members and their families like the ones injured aboard those vessels.
Common Injuries Sustained By Workers Aboard a Capsized Vessel
Some common injuries that a crew member could sustain from a distressed vessel that capsizes or sinks include, but are not limited to:
- Drowning
- Broken bones
- Serious head injuries
- Hypothermia
- Post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychological issues
If you or a loved one sustained a serious maritime injury from a capsized vessel, the maritime injury attorneys at Willis Law Firm are here to help you. Call our office today for a free case evaluation. We always put our clients first and fight for the rights of injured maritime workers.
How Can a Maritime Accident Lawyer Help?
Sinking or capsized vessels are often worst-case scenarios for most maritime workers. Fortunately, there are laws that protect maritime workers when they are injured while on the clock, such as the Jones Act or the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), among other laws. Our article titled Maritime Legislation that Protects You explains these laws in more detail. An experienced maritime attorney can advise you on your legal rights and help you obtain the compensation you deserve after surviving such a traumatic accident.
Contact Our Maritime Injury Attorneys Care – Let Us Fight For Your Rights
Did you get hurt while working aboard a vessel that capsized? If so, our experienced team can answer your questions about maritime law and the compensation to which you may be entitled. Contact Willis Law Firm by phone at 1-800-468-4878 or email us through our online webform to find out more about your legal rights and options.
Share This
