Dry docks are essential to the construction, repair, and inspection of the ships. They can be flooded or drained to make the worker’s job easier. However, dry docks are also a high-risk work environment. Dry dock accidents can cause horrible injuries than affect you for the rest of your life. If you have been injured in a dry dock accident, you be entitled to compensation for your injuries. However, you may only have a small window of time to file your claim.
Types of Dry Dock Accidents
Because of all the heavy equipment and the intricate mechanics of dry docks, dry dock accidents often happen suddenly and cause catastrophic injuries. Here are some of the most common types of dry dock accidents:
- Slip and falls
- Falling tools or equipment
- Gate accidents
- Drowning
- Electrocution
- Fires
- Explosions
- Toxic chemical leaks
- Equipment failure
Even though dry docks are dangerous places, that does not mean that accidents are acceptable. If you have been injured, it is in your best interest to discover the cause of the accident. Understanding why an accident happened can help make sure something similar does not happen in the future and can also help you with your injury claim. Your employer may not be interested in conducting a thorough accident investigation. However, a maritime injury lawyer can help you understand the cause of your accident.
Causes of Dry Dock Accidents
Most dry dock accidents are caused by human error. If you were injured because of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to additional damages. Some typical causes of dry dock accidents include:
- Failure to inspect and maintain gates
- Defective components
- Failure to keep pathways clear and clean
- Poorly maintained equipment
- Defective equipment
- Impaired workers
- Failure to create a safe working environment
- Lack of training
- Promotion of a lax safety attitude
- Inexperienced equipment operators
- Lack of appropriate warning signs and precautions for handling toxic substances
If your accident was caused by the negligence of a fellow employee, your employer, or a third party, you may be entitled to collect additional damages. It is important for your future safety and the safety of your co-workers that the negligent parties are held responsible for their actions.
Types of Injuries
If you have been injured in a dry dock accident, your first priority is to get to safety and to seek medical treatment. Sometimes workers try and tough out an injury and avoid going to the doctor. Working when you are hurt puts you and your co-workers in additional danger. It also prevents you from healing as quickly as you would have if you had gone to the doctor. Some injuries become much more serious when not treated right away. If you have to make an injury claim, the sooner you get to the doctor, the better it will be for your case.
Even if you do not believe you were hurt in an accident, you should still seek advice from a medical professional. Some injuries may not show symptoms until several days after an accident.
Some common types of injuries in dry dock accidents include:
- Burns
- Chemical burns
- Fractured bones
- Strains and sprains
- Torn and ripped ligaments and muscles
- Back and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputations
- Drowning
- Electrocution
If you do make an injury claim, your medical records will some of the most important evidence in your case. Make sure to follow up with your doctor if you continue to have issues. You also need to make sure to follow your doctor’s recommendations. This will help you heal faster and will help with your injury claim. Sometimes insurance companies and employers try and put the blame for your slow recovery on you saying you would not have been hurt so badly if you had followed the directions of the doctor.
Every claim is different. Most dry dock workers are covered by the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act, which allows you to get paid for your injuries no matter who was at fault for the accident. This law may also allow you to seek pain and suffering damages if your accident was caused by the negligence of someone else.
Maritime injury lawyers understand the different laws and procedures that govern the filing of a claim in a dry dock accident. If you make a mistake in the filing of your claim or you miss a critical deadline, you could lose any chance of getting the money you deserve. We want to help you connect with a maritime injury lawyer. Contact us today and we will help you find the right maritime injury lawyer for your case. We will connect you with a lawyer who has a strong track record of success with claims like yours. The sooner you have a maritime injury lawyer evaluate your claim, the better chance you have of getting the money you deserve.
