Deckhands Are At Risk of Catastrophic Eye Injuries

The extreme physical demands of working as a deckhand can play a toll on you. Many crewmembers suffer painful injuries, including back and neck injuries and even head trauma. What most people don’t realize is that eye injuries are also a major hazard for deckhands.

When it comes to maritime work, there are a few different dangers that can lead to an eye injury. There are physical eye injuries when an object, such as metal or glass, penetrates or enters the eye and chemical eye injuries caused by exposure to harmful fumes. A chemical eye injury can also result from a chemical that gets into the eye, whether it was caused by working closely to the substance or from cargo that was not contained properly.

Safety goggles can help prevent catastrophic eye injuries, but other important measures should be taken to protect deckhands from suffering this type of maritime injury. If you are a crewmember who has sustained a major eye injury and you believe that negligence was involved, you may be able to hold the vessel owner liable.

What is so devastating about an eye injury is that it can lead to permanent blindness, changing your life forever. Deckhands are generally considered seamen under the Jones Act and are therefore entitled to protection under this federal law. A successful Jones Act claim against the negligent party who caused your deckhand injury could entitle you to compensation, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, medical expenses, lost income and disfigurement.

To find out if you can file a claim for your offshore eye injury, contact an experienced Jones Act lawyer at the Law Offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C. at 877.724.7800. We will review your case and discuss your legal options.

Be sure to order your copy of maritime attorney Brian Beckcom’s book, Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case. This book levels the playing field between deckhands and maritime companies.