Occupational Exposure

Michael Myers

Contributor

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Seamen are not limited to workers compensation (Labor and Industries) remedies like their on-shore counterparts. They may bring claims against their employers based on occupational injuries and illnesses caused by their work. But they need to act as soon as possible after they realize they have suffered injuries or disease as a result of their working conditions.

Repetitive motion injuries often affect maritime workers. They can include one or more of the following: carpal tunnel, tendonitis and ligament damages.

Exposure to unsafe working conditions can also result in illness related to toxic exposure. Injuries caused by toxic exposure can manifest in the form of pulmonary and brain damage. Maritime workers also report very high incidents of asbestos exposure and hearing loss. Hearing loss is probably the most frequent form of occupational disease reported by maritime workers. This is especially true for maritime workers who work in the engine room or around noisy processing machinery.

Maritime workers are entitled to compensation for their occupational diseases and injuries. But they need to take action sooner rather than later. Waiting can result in the time to bring the claim running out. This provides a defense to employers that would otherwise have to compensate the injured maritime workers.