Dredge Worker Injury

Representing Dredge Workers in Injury Cases

Dredging is vital to keeping waterways and shipping channels clear. Dredge crews help deepen and widen these channels in order to make coastal and inland navigation possible for container ships and other large maritime vessels that would not otherwise be able to pass through shallower waters. The workers on these ships have a dangerous job, putting themselves at risk for injury at any time. But SMS Legal is here to help protect the rights of dredge workers who complete these essential tasks that make world trade possible. We represent individuals in dredge worker injury cases throughout the United States, ensuring they get the care and compensation they need following an injury on the job. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.

Dredge Workers Face Hazardous Conditions

Though dredge work is a necessary job that must be done, it often places deckhands and other dredge workers in hazardous conditions that could result in injury. Individuals working on dredge ships use complicated machinery and complete daily tasks that are dangerous. Even a small accident can leave them injured and unable to provide for their family for weeks, months, or permanently. This means that if you are a dredge worker who suffered injury, you need a lawyer to help you get the compensation you deserve to cover medical expenses and lost wages. Dredge workers are at risk for all of the following during their daily work routine:

• Injury or damage to the brain
• Broken bones
• Burns caused by fires or explosions
• Injuries caused by slips and falls
• Chemical burns or injuries from exposure
• Equipment pinches
• Injuries caused by impact with machinery or falling objects
• Severed limbs
• Injuries to joints, including knee, hip, elbow, and shoulder
• Injuries caused by near-drowning incidents
• Spinal cord and neck injuries

Common Causes of Dredge Accidents

There’s no single cause for accidents on dredges. Many factors can play a role in creating a situation where someone gets hurt during their work. No matter what the cause of your injury, SMS Legal can likely help you get the proper support and legal representation you need to aid in your recovery and monetary compensation. It’s crucial that you see a doctor as soon as possible after you’re injured. We can even help you find qualified medical professionals to provide the best care. The following conditions are some of the most common causes of dredge injuries we see:

• Failure of Equipment: Workers on dredges, as well as the support vessels, use heavy equipment to complete their jobs. When the owners of this equipment don’t keep to a regular maintenance schedule, a malfunction can occur. This unsafe machinery can put workers at risk and result in serious injury.
• Worker Fatigue Due to Long Hours: Dredge workers are often forced to work long hours, often working 12-hour shifts for as long as 14 or 28 days in a row. With no days off, this grueling schedule can create an unsafe environment as workers are fatigued and not as alert. This puts everyone at risk, including the worker himself and any coworkers.
• Lack of Training or Support: Dredging requires specialized skills and training in order to be completed safely and correctly. Injury can quickly occur if staff have not been properly trained or are not adequately supervised during work. Not to mention that many crews are understaffed, resulting in inadequate support for the workers who are a part of the team.

Why You Need a Lawyer for Dredge Accidents

If you’re ever injured in a dredging accident, you need legal representation to protect your rights. You may be tempted to stay complacent and take the deal offered by your employer. However, you’re likely entitled to much more under United States law. The dredge owners have a team of attorneys, adjusters, and insurance carriers on their side, so it’s only fair that you have a team looking out for your best interests too. SMS Legal will work to get you a fair outcome, fighting to protect your rights against the dredge company.

We’ll Help You Get Fair Compensation

You may not realize this, but as a dredge worker, you are likely protected by two acts in the United States legal system. Firstly, many dredge workers are eligible for protections under the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, more commonly known as the “Jones Act.” This important act permits injured workers to sue the vessel’s owner if the injuries they sustained can be attributed to the owner’s negligence. Secondly, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2015 that dredge vessels are protected under the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act (LHWCA). This federal law gives maritime workers the right to payment for compensation, medical care, and vocational rehabilitation services in the event they sustain injuries on the job while in the navigable waters of the United States. Our expert team will use our knowledge of these laws to get you fair compensation for your injuries.

Contact Us Today

Have you suffered an injury while working on a dredge vessel? Don’t delay in contacting a legal professional to represent you. The faster you act, the better the outcome. We’ll ensure you and your family get everything you need to make it through this difficult time. Call us today for a free case evaluation.