Common Types of Maritime Injury in Lake Charles, LA (2025)

Working on the water involves doing some of the most dangerous jobs in this country. When you fall victim to any one of the common types of maritime injury in Lake Charles, LA, you could be looking at weeks—or months—away from work. It’s critical to know about these issues and how they are caused. That way, you can take steps to avoid them.

Maritime Accidents: Most Common Injuries

When facing the possibility of maritime accidents, knowing what to watch out for can make the difference between a close call and a trip to the hospital. Some of the most common types of maritime injuries are:

1. Slips, Trips, and Deck Wipeouts: Often, one wrong step could have the potential to end your entire career. Sometimes, these injuries can be minor. Other times, it’s a broken bone, a twisted knee, or a back injury that could take months to heal.
2. Crushed Hands, Feet, and Limbs: Ships and rigs aren’t the safest of environments. Heavy equipment, shifting cargo, and tight spaces make getting crushed a stark possibility. Hands can be caught in winches, and feet can be crushed under steel beams. Sometimes, the damage is permanent. If a limb is crushed, it may require amputation. This can require prosthetics and assistive devices to manage.
3. Going Overboard: Rogue waves, a slip, or a missing safety rail can leave you in the water fighting for your life. In the ideal scenario, you’re quickly rescued. However, the worst case could mean a lengthy hospital stay or even a wrongful death.
4. Toxic Exposure: From fuel fumes to industrial cleaners, maritime workers breathe in some very damaging chemicals that can cause a variety of long-term health issues. By law, employers are required to give you the right protective gear and the proper training to handle these conditions.
5. Repetitive Stress: Lifting, bending, pulling ropes, and climbing ladders cause wear and tear in your body over time. Back discs can slip, shoulders may wear down, and nerve pain can settle in. Although these injuries take time to manifest, they can be just as serious as big accidents.
6. Fires and Explosions: When fuel, electricity, and open flames mix, it can lead to a wide variety of negative outcomes. Fires on boats or oil rigs can cause serious burns, lung damage from smoke inhalation, and even wrongful death. These incidents can be caused by faulty wiring, ignored safety protocols, or bad equipment maintenance.
7. Lifting Injuries: If you’re always hauling gear, loading cargo, or handling heavy tools without the right equipment, injuries are bound to happen. Herniated discs and torn muscles don’t just hurt; they can put you out of work for months.

Staying safe on the job can help workers manage the risks they face before they can turn into real problems. Nevertheless, even the most cautious worker can’t prevent every accident, especially when employers don’t take safety precautions as seriously as they should.

Why Having a Maritime Injury Lawyer Matters

Getting hurt on the job is hard enough on its own, but getting the compensation you deserve is even more difficult. Maritime law is confusing; depending on your job, you could have a claim under the Jones Act, general maritime law, or other legal protections. Fortunately, an experienced maritime injury lawyer in Lake Charles —like the team here at Sanchez Burke, LLC—can navigate these laws and fight for the compensation you deserve.

FAQs

Can I Still File a Claim If My Injury Happened During Bad Weather?

Rough seas and storms make maritime work even more dangerous, but bad weather doesn’t cancel out your right to compensation. Employers need to provide proper safety measures, training, and equipment to prevent injuries—no matter the conditions. If you were hurt because a vessel wasn’t properly maintained, safety protocols weren’t followed, or you weren’t given the right gear, you could have a claim. At Sanchez Burke, LLC, we can review your case to see if you have a valid claim.

What If My Injury Was a Gradual One That Got Worse Over Time?

Not all injuries arise from a single accident; years of heavy lifting, repetitive motion, or exposure to harsh conditions can wear down your body. Sometimes, those injuries can take some time to manifest. If your injury is linked to your work, you may still be eligible for compensation. A lawyer from Sanchez Burke, LLC, can gather the evidence to prove that your condition is the result of years on the job.

My Employer Says I Don’t Need a Lawyer—Should I Trust Them?

Absolutely not. Employers and insurance companies are looking out for their profit margins, and not what’s right for you. If they’re telling you that you don’t need a lawyer, then it’s probably because they don’t want you to fight for a better settlement. Without legal representation, you could end up accepting way less than you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care.

Can I Be Fired for Filing a Maritime Injury Claim?

Legally, no. However, that doesn’t mean some employers won’t try to make your life difficult. Retaliation for filing an injury claim is against the law, but it can happen in subtle ways, like reducing your hours or pressuring you to return to work too soon. If you think your employer is retaliating against you, the team at Sanchez Burke, LLC, can represent you. We can protect your rights and make sure your focus stays where it should—on healing and getting the compensation you need.

Don’t Settle for Less Than You Deserve

You knew taking a maritime job would be dangerous, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take your injuries seriously. If you’re hurt, you require real financial support so you can get everything you need to recover.

Before you sign any quick settlement offers, talk to Sanchez Burke, LLC. We know the waters, we know the law, and we know how to get you the compensation you deserve.

Contact us to schedule a consultation today.