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Barge & Tugboat Accidents Can Result in Devastating Burn Injuries
Despite the known risks of working on a barge or tug, you don’t think that an offshore injury will actually happen to you. You don’t imagine that you and your family will be the ones to pick up the pieces after a barge fire, tugboat accident or vessel explosion. Sadly, countless workers are injured each year on barges and tugs. If you or one of your family members has joined this group, you will be facing an uphill battle.
A frequent type of injury that is often sustained offshore is a burn. Not only are burns some of the most painful injuries you can suffer, they can also lead to further complications, including dehydration and infection. While some burns are only minor and require little medical intervention, others are far more catastrophic and necessitate extreme procedures.
The majority of the burns suffered by barge or tug workers are known as thermal burns. According to the National Institutes of Health, these injuries occur when your skin comes in contact with “hot metals, scalding liquids, steam, or flames.” When you work on a vessel the chances of incurring such a burn is high.
Major Burns & the Jones Act
A major burn, such as a third-degree burn that extends deep into the body’s tissue, can be life altering. It can lead to disfigurement, severe scarring and even amputation. Procedures known as skin grafting and debridement may be required. It is no surprise that people who are severely burned often suffer not only from physical pain, but mental and emotional distress, as well.
If you or a family member has been burned in a barge or tugboat accident, you need to understand the protection that is offered under the Jones Act. This federal law states that injured seamen (workers who spend the majority of their time on vessels in navigable waters) are entitled to compensation known as maintenance and cure. They are also permitted to pursue lawsuits in court, if negligence was involved.
Learn More By Ordering Our FREE Book
For more information, contact an experienced Jones Act attorney at the Law Offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom at 877.724.7800. The consultation is free and confidential.
If you have been injured in a maritime accident, we recommend that you do your research. All too often, the company will try to trick you into signing away your legal rights, ask you to give a recorded statement that will hurt your case, force you to see company doctors, or steer you in the wrong direction. Below is a list of resources we provide to injured maritime employees for FREE. Free Book Written By Board Certified Injury Attorney Brian Beckcom
