The work of a seaman can take you to a lot of places you might not ever have expected to go, from the waterways of America all the way out to international waters. Whether sailing east towards the Atlantic, west through the Pacific, or even down through the Gulf, maritime work often requires rigorous schedules of travel throughout the world.
Of course, with this amount of travel and work that needs to be done, the risk of accident and injury is always high. Accidents can happen anywhere in the world, but if you’re injured in international waters outside of American jurisdiction you need to make sure your rights are defended. Special rules apply to any foreign voyage, whether you’re working or travelling for pleasure, especially when it comes to seeking maintenance and cure damages for any injuries suffered.
What Are Some Common Accidents In International Waters?
International seamen and travellers face a great deal of risk and hardship in their day-to-day, including poor conditions, faulty equipment, and general negligence. Some of the most common causes of accidents on foreign voyages include:
- Co-employee negligence
- Equipment malfunction
- Inadequate equipment
- Inadequate manpower
- Improper work procedures
- Inclement weather
- Line handling
- Dock accidents
- Slip and falls
- Boarding and departure accidents
- Failure to provide a safe place to work
and many others. Safety is always a top priority with any international voyage, and the risks can be even higher than those on domestic voyages due to the complexities of the laws involved.
What Can I Do If I Am Injured On An International Voyage?
If you are hurt or fall ill in foreign waters, you need the services of a tough and experienced maritime injury lawyer like O’Bryan Law. We have decades of combined experience working with the complexities of international maritime law, and in many cases we’ve actually helped redefine the law with some of the decisions we’ve won.
Don’t get lost trying to navigate the waters of international maritime law on your own. Contact O’Bryan Law today and let us fight for your rights. We’ve won millions for maritime workers just like you and our loyalties are always to the worker, never to the big companies.
