Port Canaveral is a large and busy port and a dangerous workplace. Whether you work as a seaman on the ships that come into Port Canaveral or in the port itself, you are at risk of all kinds of injuries and accidents daily. A Port Canaveral maritime lawyer can help you recover damages after an accident so you can return to work.
About Port Canaveral
Port Canaveral is a busy and crowded port with a growing container and cargo shipping hub for Central Florida. Millions of dollars of cargo come into the port every year and are quickly sent out by train to other areas of the country.
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Tourism, though, is where the port excels. The port is home to new and luxurious cruise terminals and provides access to several tourist destinations for those taking a day or two away from the ship.
Millions of people take off on cruises each year that start or stop in Port Canaveral. Being so near Cape Canaveral, the port has also played a role in the space industry, being the point of entry for returning rocket boosters after nearby launches.
Because the port is so dynamic and busy, it employs many maritime workers:
- People operate cargo-moving equipment in the port, including trucks and container cranes.
- There are stevedores, workers to maintain and repair ships, mechanics, and electricians, and the people who work in the warehouses that store cargo.
- This is in addition to all the seamen working aboard cargo and cruise ships coming into port daily.
The Dangers of Working in a Port
If you work in Port Canaveral, you work around many hazards. Unfortunately, ports are workplaces that see many accidents regularly, many of which could and should have been prevented with proper precautions.
Cargo Accidents
First, there is the cargo. Moving cargo, including huge containers, is dangerous. When equipment fails, or an operator makes an error, that cargo can drop, swing, crush, and strike anyone nearby.
Even the trucks and forklifts that carry cargo around the port have been known to injure people.
Sometimes the cargo itself is risky. Flammable liquids can cause fires, and exposure to toxic chemicals can lead to illness.
Falls
Falls are another type of accident in ports that often lead to injuries. Falls can occur from high platforms, walkways, barges, ladders, warehouse roofs, and other locations in the port.
Falls may happen because of an equipment failure, lack of safety guard rails, a collision that jostles a walkway or ladder, or a slippery surface or surface strewn with trip hazards.
Falls may occur on a hard surface causing broken bones, head injuries, or worse, or they may appear in the water, which can lead to drowning.
The Dangerous Job of a Seaman
In addition to the longshoreman and other port workers, Port Canaveral relies on the seamen that come in on the ships. Workers on container ships face risks, including:
- Falling into the water
- Being hurt by equipment and machinery
- Tripping, slipping, or falling
- Rough waters
- Strikes from shifting or poorly secured cargo
- Drowning or being lost at sea when a ship capsizes or sinks
On cruise ships, workers are exposed to many of the same risks. They may also be vulnerable to contagious illnesses, assaults, falls overboard, fires, and electrical shocks or burns from malfunctioning equipment and electrical systems. Cruise ship workers are also responsible for helping passengers during emergencies.
Examples of Port and Ship Accidents
For Port Canaveral, with its big cruise industry, cruise ship accidents are among the most common and cause worker injuries.
Cruise Ship Rolling
For example, during an incident in 2006, a cruise ship had just left the port when it started to roll. The rolling motion caused the passengers and crew to be thrown about the ship, as well as any objects that were not secured. It also caused the ship to take on water and flood several decks.
Two people were critically injured, 12 were seriously injured, and 70 had minor injuries. Bruising and neck and back injuries were the most common.
Cruise Ship Power Loss
In 2013 a Carnival cruise ship heading back to its home terminal at Port Canaveral lost power with over 2,000 passengers on board. It was thought to have been triggered by an engine fire.
The situation could have been much worse if the fire had spread or if the ship had not been able to get power back quickly. Fortunately for everyone on the ship, power was restored soon, and they were not stranded at sea.
Port Accidents
Accidents in the port are also too common, as a tragic 2015 incident demonstrates. A longshoreman was working on a barge when he fell into the water and was caught in a propeller. He lost both of his legs in the incident, but a quick rescue team was able to save his life.
The accident happened as the man was regularly transported to or from dredge work done in the canal to keep it clear. How the man fell was not known but was deemed accidental.
Legal Rights for Port Canaveral Workers
The reality of accidents and injuries is an everyday possibility for both the workers on the ships that come into the port and the longshoreman and other workers in the port itself. If you work in the maritime industry, you could be an accident victim and get injured on the job.
An injury may leave you permanently disabled or prevent you from working for some time. You may even die in an on-the-job incident. If any of these things happen to you, laws protect your right to compensation, even if your employer denies you that money.
- For seamen, the Jones Act is an excellent resource for getting money after an accident if negligence is involved.
- For longshoremen, the Longshoremen and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act provides funds for accidents regardless of failure.
If you have been the victim of an accident, let a Port Canaveral maritime lawyer help you navigate the complex system of laws and help you fight for the money you deserve.