Due to the nature of the work, those who are employed in the towboat and marine industry are often exposed to hazardous situations that can leave them vulnerable to serious and debilitating injuries. The danger that a marine industry worker faces, however, is never more prominent than when working around electricity. During the course of their work, towboat and marine industry workers often work around wiring and general electrical equipment. Should this wiring be exposed or if they otherwise come into contact with the electricity, the results can be devastating – resulting in everything from scarring to heart arrhythmia, brain damage, burns, and the loss of consciousness.

Jones Act Lawyer: Protecting Marine Accident Victims

The wet conditions towboat and marine industry employees work in and around only worsens the dangers of working around electricity. It is well known that water is a conductor for electricity; however, what most people don’t realize is that the wet conditions on barges and towboats can wear away at electrical equipment and wiring. When this occurs, or should there be an electrical short or an improperly grounded connection, the marine industry worker can suffer from a severe electrical shock. Wet conditions can also affect the intensity of the burn because wet skin is less resistant to electricity.

There are few injuries as devastating as those caused electric shock. Depending on the type of the electric current, the duration, the voltage of the source, and the pathway of the shock, the injuries can range from minor to severe – and can even be fatal. In most situations, a maritime worker who has been electrocuted will not have been exposed to the low voltage that is often found in household situations, but rather the high voltage more commonly found in industrial settings.

In many situations, the victim of the electrocution will have severe burns at the places where the point of contact was made. These are often a primary source of concern in regards to medical treatment and will require immediate care to dress the wound. If the burn is severe enough, it could possibly require surgery or even a skin graft; if the injury is past the point of severity where this will be adequate treatment, it could even require amputation of the burned area.

If you or a loved one have been electrocuted while working in the towboat or marine industry, then you likely have grounds to file a claim. At the Dysart Law Firm, P.C., we have proven time and time again that we can be trusted to help you protect your legal rights if you or a loved one have been injured working in the towboat or marine industry. If the accident occurred because of negligence in upholding safety standards or failure to properly train the crew in handling dangerous equipment, then the employer should be held liable for the injuries. You can be confident knowing that you choose to work with a Jones Act attorney that we will do everything that we can to help you maximize your recovery and seek the full financial compensation that you deserve. Call today to learn more.