Longshore workers rely on heavy machinery and equipment to safely load and unload cargo aboard vessels. Cranes, winches, forklifts, and conveyors are essential tools for maritime operations, but when these systems malfunction or are improperly maintained, they can create hazardous conditions that result in devastating injuries. Shipowners have a legal responsibility to ensure that equipment aboard their vessels is in safe working order before longshore workers begin operations. When shipowners fail to meet this obligation, the consequences can be life-altering for injured workers and their families. This article explores the risks of defective equipment, common injuries, and legal remedies available to longshore workers harmed by shipowner negligence.
Common Causes of Equipment Failures Aboard Vessels
Heavy machinery aboard vessels must undergo regular maintenance and inspections to ensure it functions safely and effectively. However, when shipowners neglect their responsibilities, defective or malfunctioning equipment can cause serious accidents. Some common causes of equipment failures include:
- Lack of Maintenance: Cranes, winches, and other cargo-handling equipment require routine inspections, lubrication, and repairs. Failure to maintain this machinery can result in mechanical failures, such as snapped cables or malfunctioning controls.
- Corrosion and Wear: Over time, exposure to saltwater, heavy loads, and harsh maritime environments can cause critical components to corrode or wear out. Broken gears, unstable winches, and worn-out ropes can lead to catastrophic accidents.
- Defective Design or Manufacturing: Some equipment may contain inherent defects due to poor design or substandard manufacturing. Shipowners are responsible for identifying and addressing these issues before the equipment is used.
- Improper Use or Overloading: If shipowners or their crew improperly operate equipment—such as overloading cranes or ignoring manufacturer guidelines—they create risks of sudden failures that endanger workers.
- Lack of Warnings or Safety Devices: Machinery must be equipped with proper safety features, such as guards, fail-safes, and alarms, to prevent accidents. If these features are missing or damaged, workers are exposed to unnecessary risks.
Shipowners who fail to inspect, maintain, or replace defective equipment can be held accountable for injuries caused by equipment failures. These incidents are often preventable with proper care and oversight.
Types of Injuries Caused by Malfunctioning Equipment
When heavy machinery or cargo-handling equipment malfunctions, the resulting injuries are often severe and can have life-altering consequences for longshore workers. Common injuries include:
- Crushing Injuries: Equipment failures, such as dropped loads from cranes or winches, can pin or trap workers, resulting in broken bones, internal injuries, or amputations.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Falling objects or sudden mechanical failures can cause head trauma, leading to cognitive impairments, memory loss, and long-term disabilities.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Workers may suffer spinal injuries when struck by heavy machinery or falling cargo, which can result in partial or complete paralysis.
- Lacerations and Burns: Defective equipment with exposed gears, sharp edges, or electrical malfunctions can cause deep cuts, burns, and other injuries.
- Falls: Malfunctioning ladders, winches, or platforms may cause workers to fall from heights, leading to fractures, head trauma, or fatal injuries.
These injuries often require extensive medical care, surgeries, and rehabilitation. In severe cases, workers may face permanent disabilities, preventing them from returning to their jobs and placing immense financial and emotional strain on their families.
Shipowner Responsibilities for Safe Equipment
Shipowners are legally obligated to ensure that equipment aboard their vessels is in safe working condition before turning the vessel over to longshore workers. This responsibility falls under the turnover duty, which requires shipowners to:
- Inspect Equipment: Shipowners must conduct thorough inspections to identify any defects, malfunctions, or maintenance issues before operations begin.
- Repair or Replace Faulty Equipment: If equipment is unsafe, shipowners must repair or replace it to eliminate the hazard.
- Warn Workers of Known Risks: If dangerous conditions exist that are not obvious to workers—such as hidden mechanical defects—shipowners must clearly warn workers and stevedores.
If shipowners retain control of certain operations, such as crane usage or cargo handling, they also have an active control duty to ensure the work is performed safely. Additionally, under the duty to intervene, shipowners must step in if they become aware of dangerous conditions that the stevedore fails to address.
Legal Options for Longshore Workers Injured by Defective Equipment
Longshore workers injured due to defective or malfunctioning equipment are protected under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), which provides financial benefits to cover:
- Medical Expenses: Coverage for hospital visits, surgeries, rehabilitation, and other necessary treatments.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost while the worker is unable to return to work.
- Disability Benefits: Payments for workers who suffer permanent disabilities, whether partial or total, that impact their ability to earn a living.
In addition to LHWCA benefits, injured workers may pursue a third-party negligence claim against the shipowner if their failure to inspect, repair, or warn about unsafe equipment contributed to the accident. Unlike workers’ compensation, third-party claims allow workers to recover additional damages, including compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life.
For example, if a shipowner knew a crane was malfunctioning and failed to address the issue, leading to a dropped load that injured a worker, the shipowner may be held liable for negligence. An experienced maritime attorney can help workers gather evidence, such as maintenance logs, inspection reports, and witness statements, to build a strong case.
Contact a Maritime Injury Lawyer for Help
If you or a loved one has been injured due to defective or malfunctioning equipment while working aboard a vessel, you have legal rights under maritime law. Shipowners have a responsibility to ensure that all equipment is properly inspected, maintained, and safe for use. When they fail to meet this obligation, injured workers have the right to hold them accountable.
At Spagnoletti Law Firm, our maritime injury attorneys have the experience and knowledge to fight for the compensation you deserve. We will investigate the cause of the accident, identify all responsible parties, and pursue claims to secure compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact us online or call 713-804-9306 for a free consultation today. Let us help you take the first steps toward recovery and justice.