The maritime industry is fundamental to the global economy. Maritime workers routinely load and offload cargo so that vessels can get goods to their final destinations.
As in any other industry, maritime workers face a range of risks and dangers. Here are some of the common injuries that maritime workers are likely to sustain while at work.
1. Fractures
A fracture is basically any kind of damage to the bone. Fractures happen when workers slip and fall while performing their duties. Ships, by their very nature, tend to have wet and slippery areas and uneven decks. Slipping and falling on hard areas can result in fractures, traumatic head injuries as well as back and spine injuries.
2. Dislocations and torn ligaments
Different kinds of maritime accidents can result in dislocations and torn ligaments. Dislocations happen when one half of the shoulder, hip or knee joint is no longer aligned to the other half. This could happen when a worker slips and falls. Sometimes due to the trauma, the tendons and ligaments around the joint may be torn.
3. Loss of limbs
As horrifying as it sounds, it is not uncommon for a maritime accident to result in or require amputation. This could happen when the worker’s limb is caught up in a conveyor belt or is stuck in a trawling winch. Besides the trauma, the loss of a limb may mean that you will never return to work again.
4. Head and neck injuries
Head and neck injuries tend to be quite common among maritime workers. Workers can, for instance, be struck by moving objects, like cargo in the port. Depending on the severity, these injuries can result in chronic pain, paralysis or even death.
If you have been hurt while working in the maritime industry, it is important that you pursue the compensation you deserve for your damages.