Arm Injuries and the Jones Act

Due to the physical demands of working on the open waters, seamen often suffer serious maritime injuries. Working with heavy machinery and equipment, combined with unpredictable sea conditions, can lead to catastrophic maritime accidents. Falling on a slippery deck can also result in injuries, including an arm injury. While the severity of an arm injury can vary greatly, it can still cause immense pain and a prolonged recovery.

There are different types of arm injuries, including arm contusion, arm fracture and arm dislocation. If you have sustained one of these injuries it means that you may have damaged the structures in your arm.

Some arm injuries are only minor and accompanied by pain, bruising, swelling and tenderness around the injury site. However an arm injury can be serious. The warning signs that you need to watch out for include:

• Intense arm pain
• Significant bruising
• Severe swelling
• Deformity
• Numbness in the arm or hand
• Weakness in the arm or hand
• Inability to move the arm
• Deep cut on the arm

If you are experiencing any of these arm injury symptoms, you need to seek medical care. Your doctor will examine your injury and order an imaging test, such as an MRI, x-ray or bone scan. If your arm injury is minor, your doctor may recommend that you apply cold compresses and rest. You may also be prescribed pain medication. For a more serious arm injury, your arm will most likely be casted or splinted and there is the chance that you will have to have surgery. The recovery time for a severe fracture or dislocation is anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks.

When a maritime accident leads to an injury, compensation is generally available. If you are a seaman, you are protected under a federal law known as the Jones Act. To find out your Jones Act rights following a maritime injury, contact a maritime attorney at the Houston law offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom, L.L.P. at 713.224.7800 or 877.724.7800. We are experienced in handling maritime injury cases and can help you.