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10 common types of injuries that seafarers face in Mississippi

On Behalf of | Apr 22, 2022 | Personal Injury

Some people in Mississippi make their living by working on the sea, and seafarers are not immune to work-related injuries. Here are the top 10 personal injuries you could be at risk of while working at sea.

Common types of personal injuries at sea

1. Slips, trips and falls

2. Burns

3. Crush injuries

4. Amputations

5. Head injuries

6. Spinal cord injuries

7. Respiratory irritations

8. Hearing loss

9. Eye injury

10. Electric shock accidents

What to do after getting into an accident in Mississippi

If you are injured while working at sea, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Even if your injuries seem minor, it is always better to have them checked by a professional to prevent future complications. Your employer should have a procedure in place for dealing with on-the-job injuries. Follow their instructions and go to the best health care provider near you.

You may also be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. The Jones Act for offshore accidents covers workers injured while working on a vessel, or crew members. You could receive funds to cover your lost wages, loss of enjoyment of life, all related medical expenses, vocational rehabilitation training, mental anguish, pain and suffering, etc.

The federal government also provides compensation to workers or their loved ones for injuries sustained while working on the navigable waters of the United States, typically harbor construction workers, shipbuilders and repairers, through the Longshore and Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act. Therefore, immediately after getting the treatment you need, you should start applying for these benefits.

Unlike other workplace injuries, people working at sea are not automatically covered when they get into an accident. For instance, if your injuries resulted from your own negligence, your employer can deny your claim. Additionally, as per U.S. Code 46 § 30106, you have up to three years of sustaining injuries to file a Jones Act claim. It’s important to know these deadlines and to understand your rights.