Thousands of commercial fishermen, deckhands, tankermen, and other commercial mariners endure extremely debilitating leg and foot injuries every year, spanning from broken bones and dislocations to amputations.
Maritime injuries involving leg and foot injuries occur aboard commercial fishing and shipping vessels with unfortunate regularity. The severity of these maritime injuries varies. Victims can be unemployed for a few weeks or years, or you could be unable to work ever again. If you are a seaman who has suffered a leg or foot injury, you may be eligible for compensation under the Jones Act and general maritime law.
If you or a loved one developed a leg injury for a foot injury board a vessel, you should call an experienced marine attorney at Mariner Law, PLLC as soon as possible to learn what compensation may be available.
Leg and foot injuries can occur in various ways onboard a commercial fishing or shipping vessel, including being crushed by machinery or cargo, slipping on deck, and becoming entangled in a moving line. These mishaps can result in catastrophic maritime injuries.
Fractures or crushed bones may occur if a worker's feet become caught between heavy gear or crushed under a large cargo. Longshoremen are also susceptible to foot injuries while operating with powerful machinery in a shipyard, such as a forklift or a crane. Severe maritime injuries may require removal of a toe or foot.
Maritime employees at sea and ashore should be trained to wear proper foot protection. Improper footwear can result in puncture wounds and lacerations from loose nails, metal fragments, and glass shards.
Foot fractures, sprains, and strains are among the most common foot injuries experienced by mariners. These maritime injuries occur when a worker slips and falls on a vessel. These accidents can happen while working on a flat surface, at heights, or while walking down a gangplank, ladder, or stairwell. A worker can get sprained ankles, torn ligaments, fractures, shattered bones, and other injuries in any of these scenarios, which can keep him off his feet for several weeks.
Lost past and future wages, past and future medical expenses, disfigurement, pain and suffering, severe disability, loss of use of body parts, loss of happiness and wellbeing, and costs of re-education or retraining may be compensable under the Jones Act and general maritime law. Leg and foot injuries can put your career on hold and cost you and your family a lot of money. Before signing anything presented to you by your employer or insurance company, you should consult with an expert marine attorney to learn about your rights. Admiralty Attorney Adam Deitz can help you understand your options.
Seaman claims for foot and leg injuries may result from:
Failing to secure equipment
Equipment or machinery malfunction
Decks, steps, and ladders missing non-skid surfaces
Uneven floor surfaces in hallways, stairways, and passageways
Inadequate crew training
Insufficient safety protocols, equipment, or systems in place
Contact a maritime lawyer at Mariner Law, PLLC now for a free consultation if you have sustained a knee, leg, or foot injury at sea. The firm works with mariners throughout the United States and around the world. Foot and leg injuries can be life-changing—that’s something that Mariner Law. PLLC understands. If you or a family member are injured on a vessel, Maritime Lawyer Adam Deitz may be able to help. The initial consultation with a Jones Act lawyer is free. Call (253) 600-2531 now. The firm proudly serves mariner clients in Washington, Oregon, New York, Connecticut, Alaska, and nationwide.