maritime injury’
Common Symptoms of Neck Injuries among Offshore Workers
Friday, September 3rd, 2010
An offshore or maritime worker may be more susceptible to neck injuries because of the rigors of the workplace. Some workers like maintenance workers, or deckhands involved in cleaning or painting a vessel, may be at a higher risk of suffering a neck injury because of the strain on the neck muscles.
A neck injury isn't always as obvious as say, a head injury. There may be no visible signs of injury from the outside, and very often, the symptoms are very similar to those seen in other kinds of injuries like back injuries. This means that misdiagnosis...
California Law Still Doesn’t Require Prescription Drug Testing for Pilots
Monday, August 23rd, 2010
Apart from environmentalists and maritime lawyers, no one remembers much about the 2007 maritime accident involving the Cosco Busan in the San Francisco Bay.
More than 53,000 gallons of oil spilled into the ocean, when the container ship collided with a Bay Bridge Tower, in November that year. The investigation finally pointed to the impaired condition of the pilot in charge of the ship at the time. John Cota was on a cocktail of prescription drugs, including Vicodin and Valium. In the days before the accident, investigators found he had purchased hundreds of pills, including painkillers acetaminophen hydrocodone...
Maritime Workers Have Protection from Blackballing Tactics
Wednesday, August 18th, 2010
It is one of the biggest anxieties for a maritime worker - Will I be blackballed by my employer for filing an injury lawsuit against him, and what kind of protection do I have to resist such tactics?
The threat of being blackballed by an employer is a real, but not overwhelming one. It's natural for any employee to feel anxious that his employer will blackball him and blacklist him in the industry, so that he never finds work in the industry again. Maritime workers, who have been in the industry for decades, can't imagine doing any other kind of...
Will Filing a Maritime Claim Get Me Blackballed or Blacklisted?
Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
This is one of the most frequent questions I come across every day. Many maritime workers who are considering filing a lawsuit against their employer, or want to report a violation are concerned that their employer may retaliate against them by blackballing them in the industry.
These concerns are valid. Employers can often retaliate against workers who dare to seek legal counsel when they suffer an injury. Blackballing tactics can include badmouthing you in the industry, to ensure that you never get a job again. These are the most frequent tactics that maritime employers use, to intimidate workers.
So, do these...
Mystery Continues to Surround Damage to Oil Tanker in Hormuz Strait
Friday, August 6th, 2010
There are still no plausible explanations for the damage caused to a supertanker, the M. Star as it traveled through the Strait of Hormuz last week. Just some of the possible exhalations include a maritime collision, an explosion, and a rogue wave. To add to all the confusion, a group that claims to be affiliated to Al Qaeda, has also claimed responsibility for the accident.
The Japanese oil tanker was damaged as it sailed through the Strait of Hormuz, and authorities in the United Arab Emirates, where the tanker has since docked, have no solid theories to offer. ...
Jones Act Seaman Files Lawsuit over Back Injury
Friday, June 18th, 2010
A seaman has filed a Jones Act lawsuit against an employer over a back injury that he suffered during the course of his employment on one of the company's barges.
According to the lawsuit, the injury occurred on July 23, 2008, when the seaman was performing heavy labor. He sustained injuries to his back and other parts of his body. According to the seaman, he was performing the tasks without the help that he needed. The lawsuit further claims that the employer was aware of the injury risks from the seaman performing extremely strenuous tasks on his own, but allowed...
Crab Fishing Vessel Deckhand Suffers Fatal Heart Attack after Rescue
Wednesday, April 28th, 2010
A deckhand on a crab fishing vessel suffered a heart attack and died soon after a daring Coast Guard rescue off the coast of Half Moon Bay. The man was working on board the crab fishing boat, Betty K, when the boat began taking on water. The Coast Guard was informed., and crews used pumps to try to get the water out of the boat. However, the vessel capsized in just a couple of minutes.
The captain of the boat and the deckhand fell into the water. Neither was wearing a survival suit or lifejacket. The victim was airlifted by...
Department of Transportation Proposes Development of Marine Highway System
Wednesday, April 28th, 2010
America's waterways are underutilized as means of transportation. Focusing on developing these inland waterways and domestic seaports for transportation, would reduce pressure on our congested highways, and have major environmental benefits too. That's why the Department of Transportation is proposing the establishment of a network of marine highways that can be used for the transportation of cargo.
The plan is simple.
- Local transportation officials will submit proposals for the development of waterways.
- The Department of Transportation will approve these projects, depending on eligibility criteria.
- Once the project receives approval, it will be eligible for future funding from the DOT or MARAD.
Injured at Sea-What Do I Do Now?
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
If you have been injured working on a vessel at sea, it’s highly likely that you are looking at a struggle with your employer to recover your claim. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to enhance your chances of recovery.
- Make a list of witnesses at the scene of the accident, and note down their addresses and telephone numbers.
- Maintain all records relating to your case. This includes all your medical records, x-rays, scan reports, and MRI reports etc.
- Also,...
Maritime Lawyer Explains the Real Impact of an Injury
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
Typically, when an injured worker walks into a maritime lawyer’s office, he has already been through some of the most traumatic times imaginable. He has suffered a painful and possible severe injury, and has likely undergone hospitalization for the same. He has been living on his meager maintenance allowance, and is unable to go back to work.
However, it’s important for a seaman to understand that these injuries may have a much greater impact on his life. In my practice as a maritime lawyer, I often see different maritime injury victims struggle with the same challenges, as they slowly...
