Our New York Maritime Injury Lawyers Fight for Financial Compensation for People Hurt in Maritime Equipment Accidents Worldwide
You may suffer severe injuries in an accident involving maritime equipment and be entitled to substantial financial compensation for your injuries. The experienced maritime injury lawyers at Hofmann & Schweitzer handle maritime equipment injury cases in New York, New Jersey, and worldwide. You don’t have to handle your recovery on your own. We encourage you to contact an experienced maritime lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your claim and possible recovery.
Common Types of Maritime Equipment
Different maritime jobs require different types of equipment. For example, a commercial fisherman doesn’t use the same equipment as a cargo loader or longshoreman. However, many different types of maritime equipment can be extremely dangerous to operate, including but not limited to:
- Cranes
- Conveyor belts
- Fish processing equipment
- Plate freezers
- Trawl winches
- Turbines
- Forklifts
- Pipe tongs
- Heavy cables
Workers must be specially trained in the use of this equipment. Maritime equipment may have numerous powerful and sharp moving parts. In addition, it may require significant physical effort to operate this equipment.
Maritime workers often perform their jobs under stress and time pressure. They may be working long hours or forced to work overtime to complete the work. Workers are much more likely to be hurt when they are tired and lack focus. Making the situation worse is the fact that the employer may be cutting corners in the name of profits.
Examples of Maritime Equipment Accidents
Workers may do everything within their power to operate the equipment safely. However, the conditions of their job and the environment in which they operate can result in serious injuries. They may suffer injuries in the following types of accidents:
- Falling objects
- Fires
- Explosions
- Injuries from sharp objects
- Electrocution
- Overexertion injuries
You may have been injured by equipment that was being used in your proximity. You could have had nothing to do with the decisions made by your supervisors or the person operating the machinery. Yet, you may have paid the price for their negligence when they were operating the machinery. In these circumstances, a maritime injury lawyer could still file a lawsuit to recover financial compensation for your injuries.
Why Maritime Equipment Accidents Happen
Some common causes of maritime equipment injuries include:
- Defective equipment. The machinery itself may have an error in either its design or manufacturing that makes it unreasonably dangerous for its intended use.
- Lack of inspection and maintenance. Maritime equipment must be frequently inspected and repaired as necessary to keep it safe to operate.
- Lack of safety training on how to use the equipment. Employers cannot simply put an employee to work on a complex and dangerous machine without giving the worker adequate safety training.
- Lack of supervision. Some machinery may require supervisors to oversee its use and operation properly.
- Insufficient personal protective equipment to use the machinery. Employers are legally obligated to provide employees with personal protective equipment to do their jobs. The equipment must be suitable for the tasks the employee is performing
- Removal of machine and safety guards. Employers may consciously remove safety guards on the machinery to make it work better, even though it puts employees at risk.
Physical Injuries from Maritime Equipment
Workers may suffer the following injuries when using maritime equipment:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Loss of a limb or extremity
- Soft tissue injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal injuries
Any of these injuries may leave you with lasting and permanent damage. You may have significant medical expenses, along with other non-economic effects of your injuries, such as pain and suffering. If you can prove that the product was defective or that your employer was to blame for what happened, the responsible party is legally obligated to compensate you for your injuries.
How a Maritime Equipment Injury Lawyer Can Help You
If you have been injured by maritime equipment, your maritime injury attorney will investigate the cause of your accident. The investigation could reveal who was to blame for the accident and who you may be able to sue. Your lawyer will consider all applicable maritime laws, including the Jones Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act, to help you get the recovery you deserve.
When you hire an attorney for your maritime equipment injury, they can do the following for your case:
- Determine who you may be able to sue for your injuries
- Gather evidence that proves that someone else was to blame
- Estimate the economic value of your personal injury lawsuit
- File a lawsuit on your behalf
- Negotiate a settlement agreement or try your case in court
