Florida Harbor Worker Injury Attorneys
Working at a harbor is a position that carries a variety of risks for serious injuries. Unfortunately, when a harbor worker is injured, they are not able to file for workers’ compensation benefits like workers in other industries. As a result, an injured harbor worker may be forced to seek out an injury case against a negligent employer. Workers injured at a harbor should not have to suffer with medical bills and other expenses, contact a Florida harbor worker injury attorney to aid you in your claim.
Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A., has dedicated our time to supplying our clients with the aggressive legal representation they need to litigate their harbor injury claims. Our firm has litigated a dozens of harbor worker injury claims, and we want to stand with you. Be sure to contact the firm at (866) 386-1762 to make arrangements for your consultation that will be performed for free.
Common Sources of Harbor Worker Injuries in Florida
Harbor workers must perform a wide range of duties that often require intense physical labor, which is why it is important for an employer to provide them with a safe working environment. Unfortunately, a boat operator may fail to implement safety procedures to avoid an injury to a harbor worker. The following is a list of common causes of harbor worker injuries.
Slip and Fall Accidents
A slip and fall accident can occur on a boat for a number of reasons. On a boat, one of the most common causes of a slip and fall is a wet or greasy floor that was not properly cleaned. However, some other issues that may cause a slip and fall accident on a boat:
- Oil spills
- Unstable scaffolding
- Unsecured ladders
- Defective gangways
Slip and falls are often dangerous because a victim could suffer multiple injuries from a traumatic brain injury to a bone fracture. Our firm could help you seek the compensation needed to handle your medical bills if you were injured in a slip and fall accident on a boat.
Toxic Exposure to Dangerous Chemicals
Some harbor workers will need to work with volatile chemicals like oil and gas in tight spaces of a ship. Due to this, it is necessary for a ship owner to provide workers with adequate protective gear. When a worker inhales toxic fumes for hours every day, they could develop a number of serious medical conditions like cancer.
Vehicle Accidents
To transport materials around a harbor and a boat, harbor workers will likely have to use forklifts and other vehicles. However, there is a risk that a harbor worker could be injured if a forklift is used negligently. For instance, if another worker incorrectly picks up an object with a forklift, it could fall from the lift and land on another worker. Under these circumstances, a worker may have a valid legal claim against their coworker.
Additionally, harbor workers may also have to work with heavy machinery, which also poses some risks. For instance, failure to install safety measures on a piece of machinery could increase the risk of an employee being injured while using it.
Falling Objects
It is vital to ensure that all equipment on a ship is properly secured. If tools or other materials fall from a great height, they could severely injure or possibly kill an unknowing employee.
There are many other instances where a harbor employee could be injured at the workplace. If you need with your injury lawsuit against a boat operator or another harbor worker, do not hesitate to contact a Florida harbor worker injury attorney that could get started on your prospective case quickly.
Liability for Harbor Accidents in Florida
If you were injured while performing your duties as a worker, there may be one or multiple parties that are liable for your accident. Our firm can help you get started on your potential case to recover damages from the negligent individuals that caused your accident.
Depending on the circumstances of your injury, you may be able to initiate a lawsuit against the operator of the boat or the worker that directly caused your injuries. For instance, if you developed an illness from frequently inhaling toxic fumes at your workplace, the burden for this injury would typically fall on the employer. Alternatively, if a coworker operated a forklift while intoxicated and caused you to be injured, you may have to file a lawsuit against the coworker directly.
It is important to note that a harbor worker’s personal injury case is likely to fall under federal law rather than state law. Thus, it is critical to work with a lawyer that understands the intricacies of your case and knows which court will be able to adjudicate your claim.
Speak with Our Florida Harbor Worker Injury Attorneys if You are Ready to Litigate Your Claim
Harbor accidents often involve dangerous or life-threatening injuries to workers, which is why contacting a Florida harbor worker injury attorney is a wise decision for a victim. At Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A., our skilled legal team possesses several years of experience litigating complex seamen injury cases, and we are here for you in your time of need. Call (866) 386-1762 now to learn about all the ways that we could guide you through complex maritime law litigation. We offer free consultations as a benefit to new clients.
