Working on a ship can be dangerous, but the environment can be even more hazardous if no one makes the effort to keep ladders and the areas surrounding them safe. Ladder injuries are common and they can end up being quite severe. If you got hurt on a ladder while you were just trying to do your job, you may have some legal options. A Snohomish County commercial fishing injury lawyer can help you learn more about them.
What Are Common Types of Ladder Injuries?
Ladders can cause all sorts of injuries, ranging from minor injuries to more serious injuries that will require some significant recovery time. Ladder injuries that we see frequently include:
- Broken and fractured bones
- Neck, back, and shoulder injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries and head injuries
Some of these injuries can prevent you from working for a while. You should receive benefits that can help you pay for your care and living expenses.
What Can Cause Ladder Injuries?
There are many potential causes of ladder injuries. Some common dangers include:
- The lack of treads or other non-skid features
- Ladders that do not meet industry and OSHA standards for safety
- Improper care and maintenance
- Wet or dirty ladders that can cause slips and falls
Sometimes accidents just happen, but in other cases a worker’s injuries can be blamed on neglect. It’s important to determine if anyone is at fault for your ladder injuries.
Am I Entitled to Benefits After an Accident?
Yes, you are entitled to benefits even when no one else can be blamed for your injuries. Under maritime law, you should receive “maintenance and cure” benefits. Maintenance benefits can help you with living expenses, like rent and the cost of groceries. Cure benefits are there to assist you with healthcare costs.
You may also be entitled to benefits under the Jones Act though. If you believe that your employer was to blame for your ladder injuries due to poor ship upkeep or negligence, you may be able to sue for compensation that helps make up for lost wages, lost earning capacity, past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more.
Do I Need an Attorney?
You should consider talking to an attorney when you get injured on the job. You do not want to miss out on the chance to claim any benefits that you are owed. If you decide to make a claim under the Jones Act, an experienced maritime injury lawyer from our firm can help you build a case and show how your ladder injuries can be blamed on negligence.
Contact Our Maritime Injury Lawyers
So if you were hurt on a commercial fishing vessel, make sure that you are aware of all of your options. Contact Amy C Brown Law, PLLC and schedule a consultation with our team. We will help you fight for any benefits you are entitled to under the law.
