Boat fires and explosions are some of the most dangerous risks of working offshore. Because you are surrounded by water, there’s not anywhere for you to go if the fire escalates. Unfortunately, many seamen find themselves in this dangerous situation.
Even the safest of boats are at risk of fire and explosions. Cargo storage, fuel tanks, and even tugboats can find themselves victims of dangerous fires and explosions.
Not every company takes the possibility of fire and explosions seriously, and they don’t keep their safety systems up to code. When an accident happens on an ill-equipped ship, the consequences can be disastrous – and sometimes fatal.
If you are working on a ship and experience injury due to a fire or explosion, you may be entitled to compensation.
Our team of Louisiana offshore injury attorneys at The Maritime Injury Law Firm can help.
Prevention Methods
To ensure the safest experience possible, all boats should be equipped with safety methods and equipment. Some safety equipment all boats should have include regularly serviced extinguishers, smoke alarms, fire hoses, automatic fire suppression systems, and fireproof hatches and doors.
Boats should also have a number of escape routes so that anyone on board can find a way out of a burning scenario.
Consequences Of Boat Fires And Explosions
Both fires and explosions are highly dangerous.
Some common offshore fire injuries include:
- severe burns,
- internal bleeding,
- amputations,
- hearing damage,
- impaired vision,
- lung damage,
- PTSD,
- drowning,
- and even wrongful death
Many of these consequences are felt by vessel workers specifically. In fact, the majority of maritime fire and explosion injuries happen to those working in the maritime industry.
Compensation For Victims
Under maritime law, there are different acts designed to keep maritime workers safe.
The Jones Act, for example, entitles maritime workers or seamen to a safe place to work. If the seamen are injured due to negligence on the part of the employer, boat owner, etc., they can sue to be compensated for damages, future earnings, pain and suffering, and even permanent disability.
Many seamen that suffer from boat fire and explosion injuries at sea can sue for compensation. Especially when the injury is serious, fair compensation ought to be pursued.
Maritime attorneys like the ones on our Louisiana-based team know the ins and outs of maritime law to help seamen get the compensation they deserve after fire and explosion injuries. If you are someone who has suffered from a fire or explosion while at sea, it’s important that you contact a legal professional as soon as possible.
The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to get the compensation you deserve. Many insurance companies may argue that your injuries are not that serious if you do not report the incident soon enough. So, it’s essential that you act swiftly when pursuing compensation for your fire and explosion injury.
With a maritime attorney on your side, you’ll be equipped with knowledgeable representation so that you have the best chances of getting compensation for your injuries.
Contact The Maritime Injury Law Firm Today
Boat fires and explosions happen way too frequently, especially for commercial boats. This puts seamen at risk of serious boat fire and explosion injuries. Many of these injuries are long-lasting, if not fatal.
If you have been the victim of a boat fire and explosion injury, it’s important that you act fast to fight for the representation you deserve. With The Maritime Injury Law Firm on your side, you will receive top representation for your boat fire and explosion injury. Contact The Maritime Injury Law Firm today for a free, confidential consultation.