Going overboard is one of the worst possible incidents a maritime professional can experience. Some people get swept overboard by unusually large waves. Some lose their balance due to choppy waters. Others may end up tangled in nets or ropes.
Falling overboard can lead to several types of injuries, many of which can negatively impact the future prospects of a maritime professional. The three injuries below can result in catastrophic consequences for those staffing ocean-going vessels.
1. Brain injuries
Depending on the circumstances, there are two main ways in which a fall overboard could injure the brain of a maritime professional. If the fall is from a substantial height, the force of impact can cause a blunt-force trauma brain injury. Professionals are also at risk of brain injuries developing due to a lack of oxygen in near-drowning incident.
2. Serious fractures
A fall off a large vessel can be serious enough to cause major traumatic injuries. Broken bones can interfere in a professional’s ability to return to work for weeks. If the bone breaks into many small pieces or the damaged bone tears through the surrounding tissue, the damage caused could force the maritime professional to change careers.
3. Spinal cord injuries
Professionals who strike the water at the wrong angle when they fall could sustain spinal cord injuries. Trauma caused by getting tangled in ropes or nets can also cause injuries to the neck, back and spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries vary in severity, but they can cause issues ranging from lifetime motor function deficits to total paralysis.
Seeking compensation for medical expenses and lost wages can be more difficult for maritime professionals than for those who work on land. Retaining the assistance of a maritime injury lawyer can help those hurt on the open ocean take the steps necessary to recoup their losses.