Unsafe Equipment Can Cause Electrocution and Other Maritime Injuries. Do You Have A Jones Act Claim?
Electric Shock Injuries in Maritime Workers
Whatever your maritime industry job, chances are that you work with electricity. Any child can tell you that electricity and water don’t mix, and when electrical equipment and wiring aboard a vessel is corroded from sea water, there is a serious risk of injury to the crew of that vessel.
Defective equipment on ships, tankers, barges, offshore oil rigs and other vessels can also cause serious electrocution injuries to seamen. When a seaman is injured by unsafe wiring or defective equipment onboard a vessel, he has the right to pursue a Jones Act lawsuit.
How does electric shock occur?
Electric shock happens when the worker comes into direct contact with an electrical energy source. The electrical energy flows through the body causing damage to the heart and nerves. Electric shocks are very painful and often lethal.
Symptoms of Electric Shock
Symptoms of electric shock depend on the voltage and strength of the current.
At first, there may be no symptoms or there may be immediate skin burns where the current enters the body. Other electric shock symptoms include the following:
• Electric burns • Thermal contact burns • Arc burns • Internal burns • Shortness of breath • Pain in any or all parts of the body • Heart beat changes (ventricular fibrillation) • Cardiac arrest (stopping of the heart) • Deformity of part of the body • Numbness or paralysis • Unconsciousness • Loss of neurological control
If the victim has been thrown by the electrical shock, there may be additional injuries from the fall including brain injury, spinal cord injury and broken bones. Treatment of Electric Shock
Emergency medical care should be provided immediately following an electric shock. If the victim’s heart has stopped, a second shock from an AED can prevent death. Even if there are no visible injuries, the victim must see a doctor as the heart, nerves, muscle or brain can sustain serious and permanent damage from the electric current.
Visible injuries will be treated as well. If it was a minor shock, the seaman may make a full recovery. Large shocks can leave a maritime worker severely and permanently disabled.
Victims of Offshore Electrical Accidents Have Rights Under Jones Act Law.
Electrical accidents are often caused by unsafe equipment and unsafe working conditions aboard a vessel. If you have been injured by electric shock while working aboard a vessel, you may be eligible to file a Jones Act claim for your injury. If you have lost a loved one to an electrocution at sea, you may be able to file for compensation under the Death on the High Seas Act.
