When you think of an accident from a vehicle you often just assume it includes a car. The thought of any watercraft such as a sailboat or yacht, never really comes to mind. However, these types of accidents are very common and just as deadly. Irwin Law Firm are experts when it comes to dealing with offshore accidents. You can depend on our boat accident lawyer to get you the professional representation you have been looking for, Fort Lauderdale.
We Are The Best Boat Accident Lawyer
Accidents on vessels in the open sea that involve serious or fatal injuries and/or property damage are commonly referred to as an offshore accident. The causes of these accidents are without measure.
It could be something simple like someone falling on a slippery deck, a piece of equipment failed, or even a fire caused a large explosion. One thing, however, remains constant in almost all of these cases: negligence is almost always the largest contributing factor. According to the Health and Safety Executive, there were over 42 major injuries that occurred in the 2010/2011 year; this resulted in over 150 workers suffering a serious injury out of over 100,000. Beyond this, there were over 100 “over-three-day” injuries; this calculated out to every 400 workers out of every 100,000.
Maritime accidents are often more devastating than accidents in other occupations. This is due to a few factors. For starters, an offshore accident that occurs is typically a long distance from the nearest aid. The lag time between the injury and help arriving creates far worse consequences. Another reason is that maritime workers often deal with dangerous machinery in difficult weather, increasing the chances of a truly horrible accident.
Types of Offshore Accidents
- Commercial Fishing
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics has declared commercial fishing for years to be the most dangerous job in the United States. In a 10-year period, 545 fishermen were killed while at sea. Over half of the casualties were the result of a “vessel disaster,” such as crashing, sinking, a fire, or some kind of mechanical failure. A third was from falling overboard, which can be caused by a combination of poor weather and dangerous deck conditions. The causes of a commercial fishing accident include overworking, slippery surfaces, dangerous weather, poorly-maintained vessels, and more.
- Crane Accidents
- If a crane accident occurred—regardless of whether the accident occurred because of a lack of maintenance, training, or supervision—you do not deserve to suffer in silence. By hiring an experienced maritime attorney, you can fight for the compensation you deserve to cover all damages that you have suffered, such as medical fees.
- Cruise Ship Accidents
- Cruise ship injury claims can be made on behalf of a passenger who was victimized by sexual assault, on an injury during a shore excursion or even during an accident involving the ship itself. They can also be made on behalf of seamen.
- Ferry Worker Accidents
- Ferries are one of the most convenient forms of modern transportation. Unfortunately, should there be crew negligence, an unsafe docking procedure, or a failure to follow safety regulations, the accidents can be life-threatening.
- Jack-Up Rig
- Fires, explosions, loose cables, and malfunctioning equipment can all be the cause of a serious offshore accident while aboard jack-up rigs. The Jones Act commonly covers seamen who are aboard these vessels.
- Marine Cargo Handling
- In the first month of 2015, five cargo ships experienced terrible accidents, many of which were due to improperly secured cargo. Improper weight distribution and handling often lead to capsizing or sinking, like in the case of the Cemfjord. This vessel was transporting cement but capsized due to a combination of poor weather and unsafe weight distribution. Eight crew members were presumed dead after an extensive search found no trace of the crew. For employees who work onshore with marine cargo, injuries may still be covered under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.
- Oil Platform
- Oil platform accidents are some of the single most deadly incidents at sea. The Deepwater Horizon disaster, which claimed 11 lives and injured 16, comes to mind as the most famous of these incidents. However, even more devastating and recent explosions have occurred. Pemex, a Mexican drilling company, lost 37 employees in an explosion in 2013.Explosions can be caused by a number of things—most cite the handling of dangerous and flammable chemicals as the cause for many explosions. However, drilling equipment is designed to handle these chemicals. The more crucial cause is faulty or unexamined equipment which operates far below standard quality.
- Rigger
- In many cases, an offshore accident can involve a crane or derrick. Many times, those injured in these types of accidents can find themselves protected under maritime law, such as the Jones Act. If you would like to discuss your case, call today.
- Shipyard
- Working in a shipyard makes employees vulnerable to a unique set of dangers – these can result in musculoskeletal injuries, nerve damage, and even severe burns. These victims deserve relief.
- Spud Barges
- Surrounded by heavy equipment, working on a spud barge makes workers exceptionally vulnerable to severe injuries. From being hit by the spud to having a hand crushed while removing a spud pin, these dangers can be life-threatening.
Contact Us Today
When it comes to offshore accidents, it is best to hire an experienced boat accident lawyer to get the job handled correctly. You need the compensation you deserve. Us at Irwin Law Firm is here to help. We are expert attorneys who handle these cases on a regular basis. Call or contact us today at our Fort Lauderdale location for a consultation.