Man overboard accidents are more common than you think. They are a great danger to anyone working on a vessel and even those traveling on ferries and cruise ships. Man overboard accidents pose a great risk of injury and death.
Accidents can occur at any time. They’re often preventable. Understanding the causes of man overboard accidents and what to do when they occur can help you protect yourself and others. Our lawyers explain man overboard accidents and common injuries from falling from maritime vessels.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a man overboard incident, we invite you to contact the Haun Mena legal team to see how you can receive compensation for your injuries.
Causes of Man Overboard Accidents
Some causes for man overboard accidents are:
- Inadequate railings and safety supports
- Slippery decks
- Inadequate visibility
- Getting pushed overboard by an object or by heavy winds
- Carelessness
- Reckless behavior
- Poor maintenance of the vessel and equipment
- Lack of training and monitoring of personnel; poor instructions for work
- Weather conditions, dangerous seas
- Weight, balance and distribution problems
- Failing to follow safety directives and instructions
- Working for too many hours without rest and breaks
- Not taking precautions or changing directives when dangers arrive
Determining the cause of a man overboard accident can require an investigation. Our lawyers can investigate on your behalf.
Common Injuries From Falling Overboard
Most man overboard incidents involve a significant fall. The fall alone can product serious injuries in addition to the perils of the rescue mission. Some of the more common injuries from falling overboard are:
- Concussion, traumatic brain injury
- Broken bones/Fractures
- Spinal cord injury and paralysis
- Hypothermia
- Exhaustion
- Mental health injuries like PTSD and anxiety
- Soft tissue injuries
- Death
Even when a person is rescued after falling overboard, they are likely to have serious injuries. These injuries need evaluation and care.
Liability for Man Overboard Accidents
If a person falls overboard, they may receive compensation for their injuries from a party that is legally responsible for the incident occurring. Through an investigation, it can be determined why the incident occurred. The possibility of inadequate maintenance, a lack of training and poor responses to dangerous conditions should all be investigated along with other possible causes.
The responsible party may be held liable for a range of damages resulting to the victim. Injuries that occur in the course of employment while the victim is working on a vessel may fall under The Jones Act. In many ways, this law is more favorable to workers than traditional workers’ compensation law, allowing victims to sue based on negligence. A claim may be based on any proximate cause between the employer’s negligence at the victim’s injuries.
Liability for man overboard injuries may apply in a variety of circumstances not just in the context of a workplace injury.
Victims who are entitled to damages may claim a wide range of compensation include:
- The cost of medical treatment
- Pain and suffering
- Mental injuries
- Unearned income in the future
Receiving fair compensation for a man overboard accident requires identifying the legal theories that may be used to hold the defendant responsible. The victim must determine the appropriate court to bring the claim and identify the damages that they are claiming.
Lawyers for Man Overboard Injuries
Our lawyers represent people who are the victims of man overboard injuries. We also represent families in the event of a wrongful death. Compensation may be available to you. To receive it, you must identify how the accident occurred and what negligent acts or omissions may have contributed. You must determine who to name as a defendant and file the claim.
The Haun Mena injury lawyers handle all these tasks when we represent you. With severe injuries, you need compensation. However, there are many steps involved in receiving the compensation you deserve. We are focused and experienced injury lawyers. Our team can take care of everything to represent your interests, maximize your compensation and make the claims process as manageable as possible.
Taking New Cases – Consultations Available
We are currently taking new cases representing victims of man overboard incidents on work vessels, ferries and cruise ships. There are time limits to starting a case, and we can begin our investigation right away. Don’t wait to get started on your case. When you deserve justice, our team fights for justice for you.
Call or send us a message and ask for a consultation about your case.