Houston Maritime Injury and Jones Act Blog

Working on a Vessel can Cause Serious Back Injuries

If you have worked on a platform, offshore rig, tugboat, towboat, barge, ship or other vessel, you may have experienced a severe back injury.  Due to the nature of work associated with the maritime industry, it is not uncommon for individuals to incur serious back problems.

Back injuries can vary in severity and it is important to recognize the warning signals of a more serious problem.  For example, if there is also chest or upper back pain, leg weakness, numbness in any part of the body or loss of bladder control, it could indicate a serious condition.  Also, if back pain follows a major accident, such as a fall, immediate medical attention should be pursued.

There are many causes of back injuries  within the maritime industry.  Seamen, longshoremen and harbor workers often lift heavy objects and move machinery or equipment, which can put an immense strain on the back.  Other back injuries result from falls on slippery surfaces, unsafe transfers, assaults and car accidents while on duty.  Participating in a repetitious task can also lead to a back injury.

Back injures are categorized into two separate groups – acute and overuse.  If you have suffered an acute injury, you most likely experienced sudden and severe pain.  An overuse injury would have symptoms that appear gradually over time.  The types of back injuries include torn ligaments, spine fracture, spine dislocation, torn or ruptured disk and nerve compression in the lower back.  Any of these injuries can be painful and debilitating for the injured victim.

As a maritime worker or seaman, you are protected under the Jones Act.  When you are injured on the job, you are automatically entitled to compensation, known as maintenance and cure.  If negligence was involved in the accident, you may be able to pursue additional damages through a Jones Act lawsuit.  Contact the Willis Law Firm at 1-800-MARITIME for a free and confidential case analysis.

The article, Back Injuries and the Jones Act, has more information regarding these types of injuries.