Type of Maritime Injury – Back

Maritime and Offshore Back Injuries

Back injuries are one of the most common work-related injuries in any industry. These injuries often occur in the maritime work environment, for example when workers fall from heights, lift heavy loads, or trip over machinery. Offshore workers generally work in wet conditions, so slip and fall accidents are also common. Employers are required to maintain anti-skid materials on decks, stairs, and other surfaces where employees will walk and work.

Back injuries may occur from one specific event or can result from repetitive heavy lifting performed by a seaman. If you injure your back while working for a maritime employer, your damage may be caused in whole or in part by the negligence of your employer. Employers may be negligent if they do not provide the proper equipment, have enough men available for the job, make work areas safe or follow proper procedures.

The Effects of Back Injuries

When faced with a back injury, it is important to seek the appropriate medical treatment as quickly as possible and to take care to prevent possible increased long-term damage. Severe back injuries can affect not only mobility and comfort in your back, but can also affect your neck or spinal cord and impact your overall quality of life.

Common types of maritime back injuries in seamen include:

• Muscle or nerve strain or sprain
• Nerve damage
• Fractured vertebrae
• Broken Tailbone
• Herniated discs
• Spinal cord injury

Depending on the extent of damage, the victim of a back injury and their family could encounter crippling financial burdens. Maritime workers are often the primary or sole wage earners for their families due to the high compensation potential when working offshore. Injured workers and their families will be faced with medical costs, lost compensation from missed work, and a possible need for long-term or specialized care.

An Experienced Maritime Back Injury Lawyer

Whether your injury has been diagnosed as a herniated or slipped disc, or spinal cord damage that has caused full or partial paralysis, we understand that you may be facing extreme pain, uncertainty, and doubt about the future. Our offshore injury trial lawyers have extensive experience analyzing and representing clients in cases involving maritime laws and Jones Act claims. We also handle large and complex commercial insurance and insurance bad faith cases, which gives us a deep understanding of how maritime employers and their insurers will defend their cases. Our proficiency may be directly relevant and critical for filing a claim to obtain monetary compensation for your back injury.

Raizner Slania has the knowledge and experience to help you and your loved ones obtain the compensation you deserve. Our offshore injury lawyers have handled offshore injury claims both locally in Texas, across the United States, and even internationally. If you or a loved one suffered a back injury while working for a maritime employer, contact the lawyers at Raizner Slania to evaluate your case today.