A ship can be a dangerous place to work, and one area where injuries are particularly common are stairways. Stair injuries can actually be pretty serious, so it’s important for ship owners to do everything possible to keep these areas safe. If you get hurt on the stairs at work, a Snohomish County ferry crew injury lawyer can help you learn more about the compensation you could be entitled to.
What Are Typical Causes of Stair Injuries?
There are a few common causes of stair injuries on the typical boat. Some prevalent safety issues include:
- Broken or missing handrails
- Stairs with uneven heights or lengths
- Stairs made from the wrong material
- Poorly designed stairways
- Slipping hazards like water or oil
- Being made to carry items up and down stairs in an unsafe manner
Unfortunately, accidents can happen even when all proper precautions are taken.
What Kinds of Stair Injuries Are Common?
Stair injuries are often quite severe. Even in the best-case scenarios, they can keep you out of work for a few days. Common injuries include:
- Fractured or broken bones
- Cuts and lacerations
- Traumatic brain injury
- Injuries to the head, neck, back, and shoulders
- Spinal cord injuries
If you fell on the stairs while you were working, you should receive compensation.
Can You Receive Compensation For Stair Injuries?
Yes, you should receive benefits if you get hurt on the job. You should receive maintenance and cure, benefits meant to pay for your living expenses and medical bills. This is a no-fault benefit by the way. This means that you don’t have to show that someone else’s negligence caused your stair injuries. You just need to show that the injury happened while you were working.
What If Negligence Caused Your Injury?
If you believe that the negligence of your boss or employer caused your stair injuries, you may be able to sue for benefits under the Jones Act. Unlike with maintenance and cure benefits, you do have to show that someone was negligent to be awarded compensation under the Jones Act. You could argue that:
- The stairs do not meet industry standards
- The stairs were not being properly cleaned
- You were ordered to do something unsafe
- There was a known safety issue with the stairs that was not addressed
When you get Jones Act benefits, they do not just pay for living expenses and medical expenses. They can also compensate you for lost wages, future medical needs like physical therapy or rehabilitation, and pain and suffering.
Contact a Maritime Injury Lawyer
If you were injured on a ship and you’re not receiving the benefits that you deserve, we may be able to help. Contact Amy C Brown Law, PLLC and schedule a consultation with our team. We can tell you more about what an experienced maritime injury lawyer can do to help you.
