Dry Dock Dangers, Injuries, and Recoveries

Ships must be regularly inspected and repaired so they’re safe at sea. Sometimes, this requires a vessel to be dry docked so the appropriate maintenance work can be done.

While a vessel is in dry dock, the risks for workers may be different than when the ship is out on the water, but make no mistake— there’s still a significant risk of injury.

Negligence, insufficient training, and inadequate safety equipment can all cause dry dock accidents. These include:

  • Fires
  • Slip and falls
  • Falls from heights
  • Falling equipment, debris, or other loads
  • Machine accidents
  • Exposure to toxins and dangerous gasses

Because the ships are often under refitting or repair while in dry dock, there are many catastrophic injuries:

  • Burns
  • Electrocutions
  • Broken bones
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Internal injuries
  • Respiratory injuries
  • Back injuries
  • Amputations

In some cases, an accident may also result in death.

Recovering With the Help of a Maritime Injury Lawyer

The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act is a federal law that might apply to compensation for injured dry dock workers. You may be able to recover damages pursuant to this law if you were hurt while performing maritime work on, near, or adjacent to navigable water. But your time to file a claim is limited. You must notify your employer within 30 days of your injury, and submit a claim within one year of the incident.

Your time to file a maritime injury claim is also limited if you seek damages pursuant to another law. Accordingly, it’s essential to contact a maritime injury lawyer as soon as possible if you were hurt working on a ship in dry dock. Call us, fill out our online contact form, or start an online chat with us today to schedule your free consultation with Steven M. Lee, P.C.

Free Case Review

Fill Out The Form, It’s quick, easy and FREE. Simply tell us how to get in touch with you.













    Initial consultation is always FREE Call Us 713-CALL-LEE or CONTACT US HERE