Longshoremen and harbor workers in Florida play a critical role in the economy. They help ensure the smooth transfer of exported resources and the safe acquisition of imported goods and materials. Their jobs may leave them out on docks or at harbors in all types of weather conditions. They may work long hours while in close proximity to dangerous machinery.
Longshoremen and harbor workers have a somewhat elevated risk of injury on the job when compared with many other blue-collar professionals due to the hazardous environment in which they work. If they sustain injuries on the job, they may face a lengthy leave until they can safely return to work. The three safety issues below are among the leading causes of injuries for harbor workers and longshoremen.
1. Injuries caused by vehicles or equipment
Accidental contact with forklifts, semi-trucks or maritime vessels can cause major injuries. Struck-by incidents involving ships or the equipment used to unload those ships, as well as the vehicles transporting those goods domestically, are a leading cause of serious injuries and fatalities for harbor workers and longshoremen. Visibility issues and lack of training, as well as delayed maintenance, all contribute to the possibility of serious incidents involving vehicles, vessels or heavy equipment.
2. Slips, trips and falls
Harbors and docks are naturally wet locations. Combine that with the regular precipitation along the Florida coastline, and that is a formula for a hazardous work environment. Slick surfaces can lead to workers slipping and falling. They can break bones or injure their brains if they strike machinery or the ground when they fall. Falls can also lead to workers going into the water, which can lead to a host of other complications. They could acquire illnesses if they aspirate ocean water or may experience a near-drowning that causes a brain injury.
3. Overexertion injuries
The physical demands placed on harbor workers and longshoremen are hard to overstate. They have to move and secure heavy containers. They may need to load or unload vehicles and vessels. The pressure to do so quickly may increase the likelihood of a lifting error that causes a back injury. Overexertion injuries can leave harbor workers and longshoremen unable to perform key job functions until their injuries heal. Harbor workers and longshoremen in need of medical care after on-the-job incidents face a more complicated process than the average employee.
Requesting compensation requires a special procedure due to the unique laws that apply to longshoremen and harbor workers. The insight of an attorney familiar with the laws protecting harbor and maritime employees can prove invaluable when an on-the-job incident leads to lost time and medical expenses.