Marine Cargo Handling Accidents

Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act

Marine cargo handling workers have one of the highest rates of absences from work caused by serious workplace injuries and illnesses in the United States. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, for every 100 workers marine cargo workers recorded four cases of serious injury or illness that required missed work days in 2009-nearly four times the average for all other industries.

Marine terminal workers can suffer serious injuries in container terminal operations and in roll-on, roll-off or Ro-Ro terminal operations. Due to the dangerous work conditions and high rates of serious injuries that marine workers and dock workers suffer, a federal law, the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, gives land-based marine workers certain legal rights when they are injured. Longshoremen are protected when injured in areas used for loading, unloading, repairing and building certain vessels.

If you have been injured while handling marine cargo, you need to talk to an experienced maritime injury lawyer about your accident. You and your family may be entitled to collect for medical bills, lost wages, living expenses and other expenses. For a free consultation with the Arnold & Itkin LLP, contact us today. We are skilled trial lawyers and aggressive advocates for maritime accident victims.

Arnold & Itkin: A Focus on Maritime Cargo Injuries

Even though the rate of reported injuries and illness in marine cargo handling is higher than most industries, there is some question that the number of injuries may be even higher than reported. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has spotlighted the marine cargo industries as an industry to monitor to determine if employers are undercounting accidents and if the actual rate of injuries is higher than reported. Common sources of accidents and injuries include the following:

• Gangway falls. Workers in marine cargo handling frequently rely on gangways to board ships. The sides of gangways must be protected by handrails that are at least 33 inches high. When they are not, workers may be injured or killed by falling into the water or onto hard surfaces from unsecured or unguarded gangways. Falls from gangways can cause head, brain and neck and spine injuries.
• Container berth areas. Container berth areas in marine terminals are particularly dangerous places because of the high amount of motorized industrial vehicles. Traffic accidents may involve workers on foot being struck by motorized vehicles. Drivers and equipment operators who have not received adequate training in the safe operation and maintenance of powered industrial trucks, such as forklifts, can be a hazard to other marine and harbor workers. An equipment operator may try to transport an unbalanced load because the operator hasn't been trained to load cargo properly. Marine employers that fail to provide workers with proper training to operate equipment safely may be legally responsible for a serious injury or workplace fatality.
• On-the-job fatigue. Marine workers often work long and irregular hours, leading to fatigue and sleepiness. Fatigue can affect a marine worker or equipment operator's performance and lead to workplace accidents and fatalities. Many marine cargo accidents actually occur near the end of shifts when workers are fatigued and equipment is being put away.

Workers covered by the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act include longshore workers and harbor workers, such as ship repairers, shipbuilders, harbor construction workers and shipbreakers, You may be entitled to compensation under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act even if your employer is not at fault for your injury.

Contact an offshore injury lawyer!

If you have been injured while working at a dock, harbor or marine cargo terminal, you need to talk to an experienced maritime lawyer about your accident and legal rights. Regardless of whether you are a dock worker, a longshoreman or a harbor worker, you have certain rights and benefits when you are injured or fall ill in a maritime-related job. At Arnold & Itkin LLP, we understand the complexities and legalities of maritime law. Based in Houston, our aggressive marine cargo injury attorneys stand up for maritime workers who have been injured on the job anywhere on the Gulf Coast, including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

Contact a maritime attorney from our firm today if you have been injured while handling marine cargo.