Maritime workers face serious injury risks from slips and falls, machinery failures, fires, crane accidents, vessel collisions, and chemical exposure — and in most cases, the law gives injured workers the right to sue their employer for negligence.
The maritime industry employs over 650,000 American workers and remains one of the most hazardous industries in the United States. According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s 2024 Flag State Control Annual Report, machinery failures were the leading cause of incidents for cargo vessels — affecting 43% of the inspected fleet in 2024 — while collisions and groundings accounted for more than half of all barge casualties. When an employer’s negligence contributes to any of these accidents, injured workers have the right to compensation under the Jones Act, general maritime law, or the LHWCA, depending on their job and location.
Maritime Accident Statistics: How Common Are These Injuries?
Maritime work remains one of the most hazardous industries in the United States. The U.S. Coast Guard’s 2024 Flag State Control Annual Report provides the most current picture of commercial maritime casualties:
- Towing vessels — tugboats and towboats — reported 1,063 casualties in 2024, representing 22% of the towing fleet.
- Cargo ships had the highest incident rate, with 43% of the fleet reporting casualties — predominantly from machinery failures.
- More than half of all barge casualties involved collisions, allisions, or groundings.
- Offshore and passenger vessels were most affected by material failures and loss of propulsion or steering.
Globally, the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) 2024 Annual Overview of Marine Casualties found that slipping, stumbling, and falls, combined with collisions, were the primary causes of crew fatalities, consistent with U.S. data.
These statistics reflect reported casualties only. Maritime injury experts consistently note that offshore injuries are significantly under-reported, particularly when workers fear employer retaliation. For a full overview of the federal laws that protect maritime workers, see our maritime and admiralty law guide.
Common Types of Maritime Accidents
Weather conditions, equipment failure, communication breakdowns, and human error are some of the factors that can cause maritime accidents. These accidents can occur on any vessel, from cargo ships to fishing boats and cruise ships, and even onshore in ports and shipyards.
Here are some of the most common types of maritime accidents that can occur:
Slips, Trips, and Falls
These accidents can occur due to wet or slippery surfaces, uneven footing, or cluttered work areas. Proper training, safety equipment, and regular maintenance of the vessel are essential in preventing slips, trips, and falls. Crew members should wear appropriate footwear with good traction to reduce the risk of slips and falls.
Injuries from these accidents can range from minor bruises to more serious head injuries or broken bones. Therefore, it is crucial that steps are taken to prevent these types of maritime accidents as they can cause long-term medical issues for crew members and passengers alike.
Your legal rights: If you slipped or fell due to a wet deck, poor lighting, inadequate footwear provisions, or lack of handrails, your employer may be liable under the Jones Act for negligence or under general maritime law for unseaworthiness of the vessel. The employer’s failure to maintain a safe working environment is the most common basis for a maritime negligence claim.
Machinery Malfunction and Equipment Failure
Machinery malfunction is a common cause of accidents on maritime vessels, often leading to devastating consequences such as fires and explosions. These malfunctions can be attributed to various factors, including poor maintenance, defective equipment, and human error.
To prevent machinery malfunctions from occurring, regular inspections and maintenance are crucial. Additionally, proper training of crew members in operating and maintaining machinery is essential to ensure their safety and the safety of others on board. In case of a machinery malfunction, having emergency procedures in place can minimize damage and prevent further harm.
Your legal rights: Machinery failures caused by poor maintenance, defective equipment, or inadequate crew training are a leading basis for Jones Act negligence claims and general maritime unseaworthiness claims. If a defective piece of equipment caused your injury, a product liability claim against the manufacturer may also apply alongside your maritime claim.
Fire and Electrical Accidents
The risk of fire and electrical accidents in the maritime industry cannot be overstated, given the highly combustible materials found onboard many ships, vessels and offshore rigs. Crew members must be aware of the dangers of faulty wiring, improper installation, or lack of maintenance that can cause electrical accidents. Similarly, fire hazards can arise from a host of factors such as lack of training for handling of flammable materials or malfunctioning equipment.
Preventive measures like regular safety inspections, proper training of crew members, and prompt repairs can help reduce the risk of fire and electrical accidents. In case of an accident, having a well-defined emergency response plan is crucial to ensure the safety of crew members and minimize damage to the vessel.
Your legal rights: Fires and electrical accidents caused by faulty wiring, poor maintenance, or inadequate training create employer liability under the Jones Act. A vessel with known fire hazards that the owner failed to address may also support an unseaworthiness claim under general maritime law.
Hot Work Accidents — Welding and Cutting Injuries
Working with high heat and sparks in a potentially explosive environment can be extremely dangerous. Hot work accidents that occur during welding or cutting are some of the most common types of accidents in the maritime industry. These accidents can result in severe injuries, fatalities, and damage to the vessel and surrounding areas.
It’s crucial for crew members to receive proper training and follow established safety procedures when performing hot work tasks. Regular safety audits and risk assessments can help identify potential hazards, prevent accidents from occurring, and ensure the safety of everyone on board.
Your legal rights: Welding and cutting injuries are among the most serious in maritime work. If your employer failed to implement proper hot work permits, fire watch procedures, or gas-free certifications before hot work began, that failure is evidence of Jones Act negligence. OSHA regulations 29 C.F.R. § 1915.51 set the minimum safety standards for hot work on vessels — employer violations of these regulations can strengthen a negligence claim.
Vessel Collisions and Allisions
Collisions are a more frequent occurrence in the maritime industry than many of us may think, and they can have devastating consequences. Whether it’s a collision between two vessels or a ship hitting an object, such as a dock or buoy, the results can be catastrophic. Factors like human error, mechanical problems, and adverse weather conditions can all contribute to collisions.
To mitigate the risk of collisions, ships use navigation systems and communication protocols to avoid obstacles and other vessels. Additionally, prompt reporting and investigation of any collisions that do occur are essential for preventing future accidents and ensuring the safety of crew members.
Your legal rights: Workers injured in vessel collisions may have Jones Act claims against their employer, unseaworthiness claims against the vessel owner, and potentially third-party negligence claims against the operator of the other vessel. The U.S. Coast Guard 2024 data shows towing vessels — tugboats and towboats — accounted for 44% of collision cases among their vessel type, making this one of the highest-risk sectors for collision injuries.
Weather-Related Accidents
Navigating through harsh weather conditions is a daunting task for maritime workers. Heavy rain, strong winds, and fog can reduce visibility and cause ships to lose control, leading to collisions or grounding. Being stranded in rough seas during a storm can be life-threatening, which is why it’s crucial to take necessary measures to prevent weather-related accidents.
Checking weather forecasts beforehand, adjusting the ship’s course and speed accordingly, and equipping crew members with appropriate safety gear are essential steps for ensuring their safety. Additionally, regular training in handling different weather conditions is essential for preventing accidents and keeping the workforce safe.
Your legal rights: An employer who sends workers out in dangerous weather without adequate safety gear or who fails to heed weather warnings may be liable for Jones Act negligence. The duty to maintain a seaworthy vessel includes the duty to equip workers for conditions they will face.
Chemical Exposure and Toxic Substance Injuries
Handling chemicals in the maritime industry poses a significant risk to workers. Chemical exposure can have severe consequences, such as blindness or respiratory failure.
Workers must be adequately trained on how to handle and dispose of chemicals safely. Employers must provide appropriate PPE, such as gloves and respirators, to minimize the risks of chemical exposure. In case of an incident involving chemical exposure, immediate medical attention is crucial for affected workers’ safety. Effective hazard communication and warning signs can also prevent chemical accidents.
Your legal rights: Chemical exposure injuries are governed by maritime law when they occur on a vessel, but may also involve OSHA violations and product liability claims against chemical manufacturers. Workers with chronic conditions from ongoing chemical exposure — including respiratory disease or chemical burns — may have claims under maintenance and cure in addition to Jones Act negligence.
Repetitive Use and Overexertion Injuries
Performing certain tasks repeatedly in the maritime industry can lead to repetitive use injuries, which are one of the most common types of accidents. Employees who lift heavy objects or use machinery frequently are at risk of developing conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and bursitis. Such injuries can cause long-term damage and may require medical treatment.
Employers have a responsibility to provide proper training on how to prevent these injuries and to equip their workers with safety gear, like wrist braces and back belts, which can reduce the risk of injury.
Your legal rights: Repetitive stress injuries — carpal tunnel syndrome, back injuries, shoulder injuries — are compensable under the Jones Act when caused or accelerated by an employer’s failure to provide proper tools, rotation schedules, or equipment. These injuries qualify for maintenance and cure from the date of diagnosis, not just the date of a single incident.
Falls Overboard
Falls overboard can happen in an instant. A slippery surface, heavy waves, or human error can cause a crew member to fall into the water. The consequences of falls overboard can range from minor bruises to life-threatening injuries or even death.
Preventing falls overboard requires proper training for crew members, safety equipment such as harnesses and guardrails, and regular maintenance of the vessel’s deck. In case of a fall overboard, it is critical to have a prompt response to minimize the risks and ensure the safety of all crew members involved.
Your legal rights: Falls overboard are among the most dangerous maritime accidents, and employer liability is almost always present when guardrails were absent, inadequate, or the worker was not provided a personal flotation device. EMSA 2024 data shows falls and collisions are the primary causes of crew fatalities globally. If a crew member died from a fall overboard, DOHSA (Death on the High Seas Act) governs wrongful death claims for families when the fatality occurred more than three nautical miles offshore.
Crane and Lifting Equipment Accidents
Crane accidents are a common type of maritime accident that can lead to serious injuries or even fatalities. These accidents can occur due to equipment failure, operator error, or lack of training.
Crane operators must be trained and licensed to operate the machinery safely. Regular maintenance and inspections of cranes are required to prevent accidents. Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe working environment and ensure that all safety protocols are followed to prevent crane accidents.
Your legal rights: Crane operators and workers in the swing radius of crane operations have Jones Act and general maritime law rights when injuries result from equipment failure, operator error, or lack of training. Third-party claims against crane manufacturers are also common when equipment defects are a contributing factor.
Personnel Basket Transfer Accidents
Transferring workers between vessels and fixed platforms using personnel baskets is one of the most common and dangerous operations in Gulf of Mexico offshore work. A basket transfer requires precise coordination between the crane operator, the vessel captain, and the worker — and failures at any point can result in the worker being dropped into the water, swinging into a structure, or being injured on contact with the platform.
Your legal rights: Personnel basket transfer accidents create potential claims against the vessel owner, the platform operator, the crane contractor, and the seaman’s employer — often simultaneously. LKSA has handled basket transfer injury cases throughout the Gulf of Mexico. If you were injured in a basket transfer, multiple defendants may be liable.
For a detailed guide to basket transfer accident claims, read our post: How do offshore basket transfer accidents occur?
Confined Space Entry Accidents
Vessels and offshore platforms contain numerous confined spaces — tanks, pump rooms, voids, and cargo holds — where atmospheric hazards including oxygen deficiency, toxic gases, and flammable vapors can accumulate without warning. Confined space entry accidents often result in multiple casualties when would-be rescuers enter without proper equipment.
Your legal rights: OSHA regulations require employers to test the atmosphere, ventilate, and provide appropriate respiratory protection before any worker enters a permit-required confined space. Violations of 29 C.F.R. § 1915.12 (oxygen deficiency) and § 1915.13 (cleaning and other cold work) are common in maritime confined space accident investigations and directly support Jones Act negligence claims.
For a full guide to confined space entry dangers and your legal rights, read: Dangers of confined space entry for maritime workers.
What to Do If You Have Been Injured
If you were injured in a maritime accident, five steps protect your legal rights:
1. Get medical care immediately — tell medical staff exactly how and where the injury happened.
2. Report in writing to your supervisor or company representative — the same day if possible.
3. Document the scene — photographs, witness names and contact information, equipment involved.
4. Do not give a recorded statement to your employer or its insurer before speaking with an attorney.
5. Contact an LKSA attorney — free, confidential. (504) 588-1500.
The type of accident that injured you determines which law applies to your claim — the Jones Act, LHWCA, OCSLA, or general maritime law. Our offshore accidents guide explains how each law applies depending on where you were working and what structure you were on.
Get Help After a Maritime Injury
LKSA has represented maritime workers injured in every type of accident described on this page — slips and falls, machinery failures, fires, crane accidents, vessel collisions, chemical exposures, and more for over 35 years. Our attorneys have served as court-appointed trial counsel in two of the most significant maritime disasters in American history, including the Deepwater Horizon explosion and fire and the SEACOR Power capsizing in the Gulf of Mexico. When the most complex maritime accident cases reach federal court, other attorneys refer them to LKSA.
If you were injured in a maritime accident, your rights depend on the specific type of accident and where it occurred. LKSA attorneys will identify every applicable claim in a free, confidential consultation.
