Civilian workers in the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC) are vulnerable to injuries and accidents while serving their country. If you were injured on an MSC ship or lost a loved one, you have rights. Contact a maritime lawyer who can explain your rights and how you can seek compensation.
What Is the Military Sealift Command?
The MSC is a division of the U.S. Navy that provides transport and supply. It is the premier ocean transport provider for the Department of Defense. The MSC operates about 125 ships crewed by federal civil service employees, also known as civil service mariners or CIVMARs.
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The MSC began as the Military Sea Transportation Service in 1949. Before its formation, four different government agencies were responsible for ocean transportation. The MSTS played a vital role in transporting equipment, supplies, and troops during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. It was renamed the MSC in the 1970s.
Who Works in the Military Sealift Command?
MSC crew members are civilian federal employees. They cover all duties needed on ocean-going vessels, including officers, technicians, deck workers, culinary workers and stewards, medical personnel, communication specialists, logistic specialists, and more.
Common Injuries in MSC Crew Members
The men and women who crew MSC vessels are vulnerable to the same types of injuries that crew members on other ocean-going vessels are. Some of the common types of accidents and injuries they face include:
- Slip and fall accidents that can lead to fractures, cuts, or head and neck injuries
- Crush injuries from shifting cargo or accidents with equipment
- Burns and other injuries caused by fires or chemical exposures
- Equipment accidents, which can cause fractures, crush injuries, or head trauma
- Back injuries caused by lifting heavy cargo or equipment
- Injuries caused by being struck by cargo, equipment, or machinery
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Collisions, groundings, and capsizing which can cause a variety of injuries
- Falls overboard, which can lead to hypothermia or drowning
- Fatalities caused by various accidents or injuries
What Causes MSC Accidents and Injuries?
Several factors cause and contribute to accidents and incidents on MSC ships that injure or kill crew members:
- Human error and mistakes
- Inadequately secured cargo
- Inappropriately stored cargo
- Equipment failure
- Navigation errors
- Bad weather
- Miscommunication
- Negligence
What to Do if You Were Injured Working on an MSC Ship
As with injuries on any ship, the first thing you should do is get medical attention. Your health and well-being are the most important considerations. It’s also important to keep records of your medical care and the incident that caused your injuries.
File an accident report and follow the chain of command when reporting the incident. Keep a careful record of everything, including the incident report, who was present, your recollections of what happened, medical records, and any actions taken after you filed a report.
Do I Need a Maritime Lawyer for an MSC Accident?
It’s best to contact an experienced maritime lawyer if you suffered injuries working on an MSC vessel. As a federal employee, you are covered under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA). FECA provides workers’ compensation to federal employees.
You can file a claim for compensation through FECA if you were injured or became ill while working. It does not apply to injuries sustained during leave or caused by willful misconduct.
The details of FECA claims can be complicated. A maritime lawyer can give you the best chance of making a successful claim. They may also be able to find other avenues for seeking compensation, depending on the circumstances of your accident. A maritime lawyer can also assist the loved ones of an MSC crew member who died in an accident.
Examples of MSC Maritime Accidents
Accidents involving MSC vessels cause damage and financial losses. They also harm crew members and, in the worst cases, lead to fatalities.
Helicopter Accident
This accident occurred when a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed on the deck of an MSC transport vessel (USNS Red Cloud) in 2015. The aircraft was participating in a hard landing exercise on the ship off the coast of Japan, resulting in several injuries. The seven injured people were transported to a U.S. Naval hospital at Camp Foster in Okinawa.
Fatal Accident
In 2006, two MSC workers died in an accident while working on a U.S. Navy vessel. The workers were on an aerial lift when it tipped over and caused them to fall 30 feet to the ground. They sustained injuries that led to their deaths.
These and many other accidents are always a risk when working in the maritime industry. If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one working in the Military Sealift Command, talk to a maritime lawyer about your legal and compensation options.