Crab Boat Accidents and Injuries
Commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, commercial fishing operations have a fatality rate 29 times higher than the national average. Fishing for blue crab in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico exposes seamen to numerous hazards.
Crabbing Risks
Some of the most common causes of crab boat injuries include:
- Cramped conditions. Most crabbing vessels are small. The deck is typically overflowing with steel crab pots, forcing workers to walk and maintain their balance on a cramped wet surface. This can easily lead to serious fall injuries.
- Dangerous weather. Storms and hurricanes are inevitable in the Gulf of Mexico. Huge waves can quickly capsize small crab boats, tossing seamen overboard and resulting in devastating injuries and fatalities.
- Hazardous equipment. Crab fishing equipment is big and heavy, and workers are often injured by falling cables or malfunctioning machinery. Crab pots weigh up to 800 pounds, and are raised and lowered by hydraulic arms that may misfire and cause serious injuries.
- Worker fatigue. Crab fishermen have a short season, requiring them to work long hours to get their catches. They’re at constant risk of fatigue—and fatigue leads to accidents.
Crabbing Injuries
Due to the dangerous weather and heavy equipment hazards crab fishermen face, injuries are practically inevitable. Some of the most common crab fishing injuries include:
- Sprains and strains
- Cracked ribs
- Broken bones
- Heart attack
- Loss of vision or hearing
- Traumatic brain injury
- Pulmonary embolism
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Receiving Compensation
If you’ve been injured while working aboard a crab vessel, you’re entitled to pursue damages for medical expenses, past and future lost wages, and your pain and suffering. You need an experienced maritime accident attorney to help you receive the compensation you deserve. To learn more about what the law offices of Steve M. Lee, P.C., can do for you, visit us on Facebook.