Maritime workers face many risks not known to other industries, but during icy weather conditions those risks increase. At Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, our Jones Act lawyers note that injuries from icy ship decks are common when the temperatures drop at sea
Dangers on Icy Ship Decks
A wet deck can become extremely hazardous to workers when the temperatures drop below freezing. The ship’s owner and the employer of the maritime workers aboard are responsible for mitigating the dangers of an icy ship deck.
If you were injured because your employer failed to protect you from these dangers, you may be able to file a claim to get compensation for medical bills, lost wages and more.
Vessel owners and employers can do several things to protect maritime workers from icy ship deck injuries, including:
- Giving ice grips to workers to wear on their shoes.
- Installing grates on the ship deck prior to icy weather.
- Putting salt or sand over the icy patches.
- Not requiring workers to perform non-emergency duties when the weather is icy.
There are several injuries that commonly occur in icy conditions, such as:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries, or TBI
If icy conditions aboard a vessel caused injuries to you or a loved one, contact the maritime attorneys at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris today to schedule a free consultation.
