There are approximately 650,000 Americans who work at sea, with even more employed in ports and marine terminals. Government data estimates that the marine sector supports around 2.3 million jobs, although only a small percentage involve working aboard vessels or handling cargo. For those employed at sea, maritime hazards can be life-altering.
At Kherkher Garcia, we understand the hazardous nature of working in the maritime industry. We also know how important it is that workers and their families are aware of their legal rights. When an incident or injury occurs, we can help maritime workers fight for the compensation and justice they deserve.
Below, our maritime injury attorneys explore maritime hazards, common safety hazards, and how maritime workers can protect their rights.
Common Causes of Maritime Injuries and Fatalities
Studies show that falls are the most common cause of serious injury or death on ships. This includes falling from heights onto ship surfaces or overboard into the sea. In ports, on platforms, and aboard ships, another prevalent hazard is being struck by heavy objects, leading to blunt force trauma or crush injuries.
What’s especially concerning is that most maritime accidents, whether resulting in injury or death, occur during routine work. This suggests that the industry’s structural issues may be contributing to the high rate of accidents at sea.
Man Overboard & Falls: Leading Causes of Maritime Casualties
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly two-thirds of man overboard (MOB) accidents on commercial fishing vessels go unwitnessed. In a study covering MOB incidents from 2000 to 2016, none of the fatalities involved sailors wearing personal flotation devices (PFDs).
However, slips and falls aboard vessels are more common than MOB incidents, often resulting in serious injuries like bone fractures, head injuries, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Preventing these incidents requires more than just awareness and training; it’s also a matter of maintaining proper flooring and ensuring adequate rest for the crew.
Sleep deprivation, which is widespread due to the demanding nature of maritime work, can severely impair motor control, increasing the likelihood of falls. Hazards are worsened by cluttered workspaces and the accumulation of oil or seawater on deck, creating dangerous slipping conditions.
Declining Ship Maintenance and Increased Risks
The shipping industry has experienced a notable increase in maritime incidents, with mechanical failures playing a significant role. Data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence shows that more than half of vessel issues in recent years are due to mechanical failure, and 2022 saw the highest rate of ship mechanical failures in over a decade.
Several factors have been linked to this rise in failures, most of which stem from company policies. Shipping companies prioritize minimizing the time spent in port for maintenance and repair, leading to vessels leaving port with unresolved mechanical issues. Additionally, a shortage of skilled mechanics and dry docks has worsened the situation. These policies, driven by the desire to reduce delays and maximize profitability, often result in ships and their crews being pushed to their limits.
The connection between mechanical failures and crew injuries is clear. When companies neglect ship maintenance, they create conditions where crew members are more likely to experience accidents, such as falls or being struck by malfunctioning equipment or cargo.
The Importance of Increased Staffing for Safety
Many of the hazards maritime workers face are rooted in inadequate staffing levels. Sleep deprivation, for instance, is a leading cause of falls and accidents involving heavy equipment. However, shorter shifts and better-rested crew members could significantly reduce the risk of these incidents. MOB accidents, in particular, would also be less common if there were more staff on board to witness and respond to such events.
Despite the clear benefits of increased staffing, the maritime industry has been trending in the opposite direction. Crew sizes across various types of vessels have steadily decreased, with the average crew size of American cargo ships shrinking by 50% between 1960 and 1990. Even with periods of increased employment, technological automation has allowed shipping companies to cut crew sizes further, lowering operational costs while increasing the risks faced by each individual worker.
What are Primary Safety Issues for Maritime Workers?
Maritime workers face a variety of safety issues due to the nature of their work environment. Some of the primary safety concerns include:
Falls from Heights and Overboard Incidents
Falls are one of the most common causes of serious injuries and fatalities. Workers may fall from elevated surfaces on the ship or overboard into the sea. Falling overboard is especially dangerous if not witnessed immediately, leading to a high fatality rate in such incidents.
Slips and Trips
Slippery surfaces caused by oil, seawater, or other substances on the deck can lead to falls and serious injuries. Poor flooring, cluttered work areas, and inadequate lighting further contribute to this hazard.
Blunt Force Trauma and Crush Injuries
Workers are at risk of being struck by heavy objects, equipment, or cargo. This can lead to severe injuries like blunt force trauma or crush injuries, particularly during loading and unloading operations.
Mechanical Failures
Ship maintenance is often delayed or insufficient due to tight schedules, leading to mechanical failures. This can result in accidents that affect both equipment and the crew, increasing the risk of injury.
Fatigue and Sleep Deprivation
Long shifts, irregular working hours, and the demanding nature of maritime work lead to sleep deprivation, which impairs motor skills and decision-making. Fatigue increases the likelihood of accidents, such as slips, falls, and equipment mishandling.
Fire and Explosion Risks
Ships often carry flammable materials or work with dangerous machinery, creating fire and explosion hazards. Fires onboard are particularly dangerous due to the isolated environment, making quick evacuation or rescue difficult.
Exposure to Hazardous Substances
Maritime workers are sometimes exposed to hazardous chemicals, fuels, or other toxic substances, which can lead to long-term health issues like respiratory conditions or chemical burns.
Extreme Weather Conditions
Working in open waters exposes maritime workers to extreme weather conditions like high winds, storms, and rough seas. These conditions increase the difficulty and danger of routine tasks, such as navigating or maintaining stability on deck.
Insufficient Staffing
Many vessels operate with reduced crew sizes, putting additional strain on workers and increasing the likelihood of accidents. Fewer crew members also mean a higher chance of unmonitored incidents, such as man overboard accidents.
Lack of Safety Training
Insufficient or outdated training can leave workers unprepared for emergencies or unfamiliar with the latest safety procedures, increasing the risk of accidents.
Addressing these safety issues requires proper training, regular ship maintenance, adequate staffing, and strict adherence to safety protocols to reduce the risk of injury and fatality for maritime workers.
Ensuring Compensation for Injured Maritime Workers
Given the growing risks, maritime workers who suffer long-term injuries or families who lose loved ones deserve lifetime compensation. Serious injuries are not just a matter of hospital bills and short-term wage loss. The effects are long-lasting and life-altering, often resulting in psychological issues, loss of enjoyment in daily activities, and difficulty reconnecting with loved ones.
The maritime industry, with an aging workforce, faces an even greater threat from injuries. Companies need to take action to protect their workers by either increasing staffing levels and preventing accidents or providing adequate compensation for the lifelong impacts of these injuries. Preventative measures may raise operational costs, but ensuring worker safety and fair compensation is both an ethical obligation and the right course of action.
How Our Maritime Injury Attorneys Help Injured Maritime Workers
Maritime work is demanding and dangerous, with workers facing hazards like falls, equipment accidents, and fatigue from long shifts. Injuries at sea can lead to long-term consequences, including severe physical harm, loss of income, and overwhelming medical expenses. If you’ve been injured while working aboard a vessel, you deserve dedicated legal support to secure the compensation and care you need to recover.
At Kherkher Garcia, our experienced maritime injury attorneys understand the unique challenges maritime workers face. We are committed to holding employers and negligent parties accountable when they fail to provide a safe working environment. Whether your injury was caused by mechanical failure, lack of safety equipment, or insufficient staffing, we’ll fight to ensure you receive the maximum compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care.
We know the complex laws governing maritime injuries, including the Jones Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). Let us handle the legal battle while you focus on healing. Contact Kherkher Garcia today for a free consultation, and learn how we can help you navigate your claim and protect your future.
Don’t face this alone – reach out to our team now by calling 713-333-1030, or by completing our online contact form.
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