Barge boats are commonly used for commercial shipping, especially in the oil industry. For many companies, tugs and barges are the primary means of transportation, carrying tons of cargo each year. However, these vessels can often be dangerous for workers. If you or a loved one was injured on a commercial barge, consider taking your case to an attorney.
The Dallas barge boat injury lawyers at The Queenan Law Firm represent injury victims and help them fight to get compensation for serious injuries. In cases of injuries at work on a commercial vessel, tugboat, or barge craft, you may be entitled to seek compensation under federal law. Talk to an attorney today for help with your case. Our attorneys offer free consultations to help you understand your rights and what you might be entitled to in a barge boat accident lawsuit. Call our law offices today at (817) 476-1797 for a free consultation.
Workplace Injuries for Injured Seamen and Barge Workers
Commercial fishing and shipping jobs can be some of the most dangerous careers in the country. Not only do barge workers face the everyday injury risks from heavy lifting, handling dangerous cargo, and working with heavy machinery like cranes and forklifts but they also face special risks from working on a boat.
Loading and unloading cargo can take a toll on the body, especially after years of strain. Proper lifting techniques and safety equipment are a must in the workplace. If you are not given the proper safety equipment such as lifting belts and straps, handcarts, or access to forklifts or cranes, you could be seriously injured while overexerting yourself. Additionally, years of continuous strain can cause serious back and joint pain.
Many barges carry hazardous chemicals and other dangerous cargo. Especially in Texas and the Gulf of Mexico, many barges primarily carry oil tankards or otherwise transport oil from offshore oil rigs to mainland facilities. These barge workers are at a special risk for chemical exposure and associated injuries, such as chemical irritation and rashes, as well as injuries from potential fires and explosions if serious accidents occur.
On a ship, you face special risks from the weather and conditions of a ship. Carrying heavy items is difficult enough on a flat, stable surface, but adding in the rocking and swaying of a deck can make this far more difficult and dangerous. Even walking from one place to another can be more dangerous if the vessel is not properly equipped with handrails or if decks are wet and slippery from weather or rough waters.
Many barges are used to load and unload heavy materials, meaning forklifts, cranes, and other heavy machinery are commonly used. Operating these kinds of machinery always carries safety risks, especially if you lack the proper training or safety equipment. Inexperienced operators, tired operators, and the general risks from moving machinery contribute to serious injuries every year.
Suing for Injuries from Shipping and Marine Work
When you receive injuries on the job as a seaman, you may be entitled to compensation under the Jones Act. Many seamen are familiar with rules contained in the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, a.k.a. the Jones Act, but they may not be familiar with the sections on relief for injured maritime workers. This act ensures that any sailor who is injured on the job has the right to file an injury lawsuit against their employer. Typical maritime law does not usually extend this right, but the Jones Act ensures that you can sue the ship’s owner or your employer for negligence.
When filing a lawsuit for injuries, you usually claim that the at-fault party’s negligence caused your injuries rather than suing for intentional harms. When filing a negligence lawsuit, your attorney needs to prove that the at-fault party owed you a duty, and their breach of that duty caused your injuries. They must also prove what injuries and financial damages you suffered because of the injury.
This duty often comes from reasonable expectations, such as the expectation that the ship’s owner will keep the vessel in seafaring condition and keep its equipment reasonably safe for workers. Some laws might also create more specific duties or safety practices that the employer should follow, such as standards put in place by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). If your employer failed to maintain proper safety standards, supply you with safety equipment, or give you the necessary training (in your language) to safely perform your job, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit against them.
When you file an on-the-job injury lawsuit, you may be entitled to claim damages for your medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages you faced as a consequence of the injury.
Our Dallas Barge Worker Injury Lawyers Offer Free Consultations
If you or a member of your family was injured while working on a barge off the coast of Texas or in the Gulf of Mexico, contact the Dallas barge boat injury attorneys at The Queenan Law Firm today. Our attorneys have handled thousands of cases on behalf of injury victims. For a free consultation on your case, contact our law offices today at (817) 476-1797.