Experienced Maritime Attorneys BLOG

Fall Injuries in the Maritime Industry

May 11th, 2012

Working in the maritime industry involves a number of risks, including the risk of falling. Falls in the maritime industry can be caused by a number of factors, such as: Tripping hazards Slippery conditions Unsafe stairways Poorly secured scaffolding Misuse of ladders Elevator or manlift malfunction Unguarded waterside edges Open hatches that are not marked or barricaded Improperly covered hatches Missing weather deck rails Temporary landing surfaces that are too small or too weak for the loads imposed on them Improperly maintained dockboards and ramps Unsecured ramps Improper rigging and trimming of gangways Failure to use nets and other fall protection equipment Walking over deck loads without a safe route Poorly designed or improperly maintained decks Platforms and skids that are too weak for the loads imposed on them, are not well-maintained, or that lack guard rails or safety nets Insufficient access to vessels and cargo spaces Falls can result…
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Preventing Falls in the Maritime Industry

May 9th, 2012

In New Zealand, a cargo-handler was recently injured at the Port of Lyttelton when he fell while working on a vessel. In the United Kingdom, Pendennis Shipyard Ltd. was recently fined thousands of pounds after an apprentice fell approximately two meters from improperly secured scaffolding and injured his knees. And just last month, a man was seriously injured in Newmarket, N.H., when he fell about 15 feet from a pier onto pilings in shallow water while helping to install docks for a private marina. Maritime employers should take all necessary precautions to prevent workplace falls and minimize fall-related injuries. Such precautions might include: Providing proper fall protection and  safety equipment Providing and maintaining proper railings and/or sidings of vessels of the required and/or sufficient height to protect the crew Installing nets or rails where falls are likely to occur Providing employees with personal fall arrest systems Barricading or covering openings…
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Numerous Laws Protect Injured Maritime Workers

May 7th, 2012

On May 2, the U.S. Coast Guard medically evacuated a fisherman who had severely injured his hand while hauling gear as he worked on board the F/V SANDY ROSE. He was transported to Bangor Eastern Maine Medical Center. Fishermen and other maritime workers routinely risk injuries to their hands, feet and other body parts. They work around moving lines and heavy equipment every day. A maritime worker’s hand or foot can become entangled in a line or can be crushed under or between heavy objects, or they can be caught in a capstan, block or net reel. Latti & Anderson LLP has an extensive history representing crewmembers who have injured their hands, feet or other limbs. In many cases, we have represented maritime workers whose fingers and legs have been amputated, and we have obtained multi-million dollar settlements. When maritime workers get hurt on the job, one or more maritime…
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