Visit Your Doctor Before You’re Injured in a Maritime Accident
Whether you’ve been out of work for a while or you’re just looking for a new opportunity, getting a job as a seamen or other maritime professional is an exciting time. You’re able to do something you love and make a decent living, but it’s important to still exercise some caution amidst your happy news. The truth is that the maritime industry is one of the most dangerous you can work in, and by planning ahead for possible accident and injuries, you’re ultimately giving yourself a better chance at winning your case. We’re not trying to be pessimistic or rain on anyone’s parade, but maritime accident victims we’ve met have often said they wished they protected themselves better before being injured.
How can I protect myself?
One of the best things you can do for yourself is going to the doctor before you start work. Your employer may require you to get a physical before coming onboard, but if he doesn’t, schedule one anyway. By meeting with a doctor, you’ll be able to fully understand the state of your health and any pre-existing conditions you may have before you begin working. However, the other side of the coin is that if you end up getting injured on the job, you will be able to prove what your health was like before you started working. This will be especially helpful if your employer tries to say that you had some type of pre-existing condition that was not caused by an unsafe situation on board your vessel. Documentation from a trained medical professional is something that means the difference between winning and losing a maritime injury case.
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