Maritime Foot Injuries

Foot injuries are common in the maritime industry. Most maritime jobs come with risks and dangers; injuring the feet is just one of many. Contact an experienced maritime lawyer if you hurt your foot on the job so that you can seek compensation.

About Foot Injuries in Maritime Jobs

Maritime jobs are more dangerous than jobs in most other industries. Workers on ships, in shipyards, and on offshore installations are more susceptible to accidents and injuries of all types. They work with various types of equipment and heavy cargo, often work at height, and must work in confined or crowded areas.

According to the Mariner Safety Research Initiative (MSRI), half of all injuries recorded in the maritime industry relate to extremities, including foot, leg, and ankle injuries. Together, these lower extremity injuries account for 22% of injuries. About 5% of injuries recorded by MSRI are to the foot. Foot injuries most often occur on the deck of ships.

Maritime Accidents That Can Cause Foot Injuries

Many types of accidents that occur on ships or in shipyards can lead to foot injuries:

• Slip or trip and falls
• Ladder or stair falls
• Equipment accidents
• Crush accidents
• Mooring accidents
• Gangway accidents
• Cargo accidents

These types of accidents are often preventable. Many factors can contribute to or directly cause accidents that injure workers’ feet:

• Malfunctioning equipment or poorly maintained equipment
• Lack of training, including safety training
• Slippery surfaces or decks cluttered with trip hazards
• Damaged or poorly maintained stairs, ladders, or gangways
• Lack of safety gear or failure to use safety gear and follow protocols
• Lack of communication between workers
• Incorrectly loaded or secured cargo
• Misuse of mooring lines, which can lead to entanglement

Types of Foot Injuries in Maritime Jobs

Accidents in the maritime industry can lead to several types of foot injuries, which may be mild or severe. In the worst-case scenario, these injuries can result in amputations.

Common maritime foot injuries include sprains and strains, tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, and stress fractures. Fractures and crush injuries can be severe and debilitating. Workers may also suffer lacerations or burns.

How to Protect Your Feet in a Maritime Job

Many foot injuries in the maritime industry are preventable with basic measures:

• All workers should be adequately trained to do their jobs and trained in safety measures and protocols. These measures can prevent many accidents.
• Safety gear is also essential. Proper work boots with reinforcement don’t prevent accidents but can prevent or minimize injuries.
• Other factors that reduce the risk of foot injuries include keeping stairs and ladders well maintained, keeping decks clear of trip hazards, and ensuring surfaces are covered with non-slip material.
• All equipment and machinery should be maintained regularly to reduce the risk of dangerous malfunctions.

Examples of Maritime Foot Injuries

This real-life example demonstrates how easy it is for maritime workers to hurt their feet. In one terrible accident from 2023, a worker suffered two crushed feet while transferring from a supply ship to a gas rig in the North Sea.

He was the last worker to transfer over a motion-compensated gangway when the gap between the ship and the rig changed. This trapped his feet under a step. His injuries were severe and nearly led to amputation.

Bad weather, rough waters, and inadequate lighting contributed to the accident. The company that made the gangway was found to be partially at fault for its design. Both that company and the offshore company Shell were fined $1.5 million for poor safety conditions that led to the incident.

What to Do if You Hurt Your Foot on the Job

Your priority after any maritime accident should be getting the necessary medical care. A foot injury might be mild, but it could also be severe and require emergency care.

Once stable, ensure the incident was reported accurately and through the correct channels. Follow your company’s procedures for reporting accidents and keep a record of the report. Also, keep records of all the medical care you receive.

Talk to a maritime lawyer about your next steps. You may be eligible to take legal action and to seek compensation based on applicable maritime laws. If you work on a ship, you are likely covered by the Jones Act, which allows seamen to sue for damages when negligence causes injuries.

If you work offshore or in a shipyard, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation through the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act or the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.

What Kind of Compensation You Can Get for a Maritime Foot Injury

Maritime laws can be complicated and confusing, but when you suffer injuries in the industry, you may be entitled to compensation. A maritime lawyer gives you the best chance of recovering damages for:

• Medical bills
• Ongoing medical or care expenses
• Lost wages
• Lost earning potential
• Emotional and physical pain and suffering

A foot injury can be debilitating and have lasting consequences. If you hurt your feet in a maritime job, contact a lawyer to help you get justice and seek compensation.