Talk to a Maritime Lifting Injury Lawyer for Free 24/7
Maritime workers in all types of occupations are required to lift heavy objects during the workday. From tools and equipment to cargo and gear, lifting various kinds of heavy objects presents injury risks—and many maritime workers face these risks on a daily basis. If you have been injured at work while lifting a heavy object, you should speak with a maritime lifting accident attorney about your legal rights. You may be entitled to compensation under the Jones Act or other maritime laws.
Injured maritime workers can seek compensation for lifting injuries from accidents and from repetitive stress. The Jones Act and other maritime laws provide benefits in both scenarios, and these benefits are available to workers on a “no-fault” basis. But, if your employer or another company is at fault for your injuries, you may be entitled to additional compensation, and hiring an experienced maritime lifting injury lawyer will give you the best chance to recover the full compensation you deserve.
Common Maritime Lifting Injuries
Lifting heavy objects can lead to a variety of different injuries. Some of the most common maritime injuries associated with lifting heavy objects include:
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Bone fractures and crushing injuries (from dropping lifted objects)
- Elbow, shoulder, and wrist injuries
- Herniated discs
- Knee and hip injuries
- Ligament and tendon injuries
- Lower back pain
- Muscle tears
- Neck injuries
- Paralysis
What Accidents Can Lead to an Injury?
Lifting heavy objects is dangerous enough on its own. But, with the motion of seafaring vessels, inadequate safety precautions offshore, lack of access to medical care, and other issues, lifting heavy objects can be particularly hazardous offshore. Some of the most common causes of maritime lifting injuries include:
- Inadequate Safety Precautions – Many maritime employers fail to provide adequate safety equipment and implement appropriate safety standards to protect their workers from lifting injuries.
- Repetitive Lifting – Over time, repetitive lifting can cause degeneration of the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and vertebrae in the spine, and this can lead to chronic pain and other long-term injuries.
- Sea and Weather Conditions – High seas, high winds, heavy rains, and other environmental factors can make performing routine lifting tasks more dangerous than normal.
- Working Alone – Offshore workers often get assigned to work alone when two (or more) crewmembers are needed to lift heavy objects safely.
But, even if you simply got hurt at work and none of these factors were to blame, you could still have a claim for benefits. The Jones Act provides injured seamen with the right to collect maintenance and cure benefits any time they get hurt while performing their job duties. Other maritime laws provide access to “no-fault” benefits as well. So, no matter what happened, if you suffered a lifting injury at work, you should talk to a lawyer about your legal rights.
Talk to a Maritime Lifting Accident Attorney for Free
Are you entitled to benefits for your lifting injury? To find out, call 800-468-4878 or request a free consultation with a maritime lifting injury lawyer at Willis Law Firm today.
