MARITIME LAW AND ADMIRALTY LAW

Traveling or working by sea has its dangers. Maritime accidents can cause devastating injuries. In many cases, proper safety precautions could have prevented these tragedies.

The most frequent maritime accidents are:

• Falls overboard:
  Maritime workers, cruise ship passengers, and others at sea may fall overboard into the ocean or in-between vessels. Falls overboard are particularly hazardous, leaving individuals vulnerable to: 
  • Hypothermia
  • Drowning
  • Crush injuries if caught between vessels
  • Lacerations and amputations from propellers
    
    
• Slip and falls on decks:
  Slips and falls can lead to serious injuries, accounting for 43% of all maritime injuries. Maritime workers can slip and fall building and repairing ships or cruise passengers may be injured walking through cluttered walkways.
  
  
• Drowning:
  Even the strongest swimmers are vulnerable to drowning:
  • Workers may fall into the sea working aboard maritime work vessels. According to a barge or releasing mooring lines
  • A ferry, charter boat, or sailboat may sink
  • Riders may drown or nearly drown from jet ski accidents
    
    
• Dock and pier accidents:
  Loading and unloading heavy cargo carry many risks. As workers hall loads on and off boats, they may face injuries or death from:
  • Heavy equipment used to move shipping containers
  • Distracted drivers on the pathways
  • Falling from the pier or dock
  • Crush injuries between shipping containers
    
    
• Fishing injuries:
  Fishing injuries refer to a broad range of negligent accidents.

   

  • 725 commercial fishermen suffered fatal injuries over the span of 15 years
  • Almost half of all fatalities occurred after their vessel incurred a disaster
  • Falls overboard account for 30% of deaths
  • 12% of fatalities are the result of an accident aboard the ship
    
    
• Food poisoning:
  Food poisoning can lead to serious side effects if not treated timely and properly. It is imperative food aboard a vessel is prepared properly.
  
  
• Elevator and escalator accidents:
  Cruise ships are massive vessels that often have elevators and escalators for passenger convenience. When not maintained properly, they can malfunction, trapping body parts or causing serious falls
  
  
• Heavy machinery and equipment malfunctions:
  Commercial shipping boats, cruise liners, and docks contain heavy and hazardous equipment. When a machine malfunctions, it can cause:
  • Amputations
  • Broken or fractured bones
  • Crush injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
    
    
• Legionnaire’s disease:
  Legionnaire’s disease is a bacterial illness typical around pools and hot tubs. The symptoms are similar to pneumonia and can spread quickly among passengers of a boat.
  
  
• Fire and explosions:
  When a fire or explosion happens aboard a sea vessel, passengers and workers have very little time to act quickly and control and spread. Ships can sink, passengers and maritime workers can suffer severe burns or amputations, and the limited medical facilities can become overrun.
  
  
• Chemical burns and toxic exposure:
  Maritime workers are especially vulnerable to chemical burns and toxic exposure. On many vessels, the compartments are small with very little airflow, causing damage far quicker than in an open environment.
  
  
• Violent assault and sexual assault:
  Unfortunately, sexual assault and other violent crimes happen on cruise ships, boats, yachts, and maritime work vessels.According to A Review of Crime Aboard Cruise Ships, conducted by the International Journal of Safety and Security in Tourism/Hospitality:
  • The Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN) approximates only one-third of sexual assaults are reported
  • The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) approximates less than 23% of sexual assaults are reported
  • The Department of Transportation focused on cruise ships from the US and found that in less than a year and a half, cruise liners reported:
    • 4 suspicious deaths
    • 6 thefts of $10,000 or more
    • 14 violent assaults that resulted in serious injuries
    • 62 sexual assaults