Falls from heights are one of the most serious hazards longshore workers face while working aboard vessels. Whether it’s from ladders, gangways, cargo holds, or elevated platforms, falls often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. Shipowners have a clear legal duty to ensure that conditions on the vessel are reasonably safe for workers. When shipowners fail to maintain equipment, repair hazards, or provide adequate warnings, falls from heights can occur, leaving workers and their families to deal with the devastating consequences. This article examines the risks, causes, and legal options available for longshore workers injured in falls from heights.
Common Causes of Falls from Heights on Vessels
Working on a vessel involves numerous situations where longshore workers must navigate elevated spaces or access difficult-to-reach areas. Falls can happen when safety measures are neglected, equipment is defective, or conditions are not properly maintained. Common causes include:
- Faulty or Damaged Ladders: Ladders used to access cargo holds, machinery, or decks must be in good working condition. Corroded rungs, missing steps, or loose ladders increase the risk of workers falling.
- Unstable or Broken Gangways: Gangways connecting the vessel to docks must be stable, properly secured, and equipped with railings. A defective or slippery gangway can collapse or cause workers to lose their balance.
- Open Hatches or Unsecured Covers: Open cargo hatches create fall hazards, particularly when workers are not warned or barriers are absent. Falls into open holds can result in severe injuries or fatalities.
- Poorly Lit Areas: Inadequate lighting in cargo holds, decks, and access points makes it difficult for workers to identify hazards, increasing the likelihood of falls.
- Lack of Safety Railings: Railings and other fall-prevention devices are critical for protecting workers near elevated areas or vessel edges. Missing or damaged railings put workers at significant risk.
Shipowners are responsible for identifying and addressing these hazards before turning the vessel over to workers. Failure to do so can lead to preventable accidents that cause serious harm.
Injuries Caused by Falls from Heights
Falls from heights often result in some of the most severe injuries longshore workers can suffer. The combination of falling from an elevated surface and striking hard, unforgiving vessel decks, machinery, or cargo can lead to life-altering consequences, such as:
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Falls from ladders, gangways, or platforms can cause damage to the spine, resulting in partial or complete paralysis. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment and long-term care.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): A fall that causes a worker to strike their head can result in concussions or more severe brain injuries, impacting cognitive function, motor skills, and quality of life.
- Broken Bones and Fractures: Falls frequently lead to fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, or hips, which can take months to heal and may require surgical intervention.
- Internal Injuries: The force of a fall can damage internal organs, cause bleeding, or result in punctured lungs, which can be life-threatening without immediate treatment.
- Fatalities: In some cases, falls from significant heights can lead to fatal injuries, leaving families grieving the loss of a loved one.
In addition to the physical harm, workers may experience significant emotional distress and financial strain due to medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages. Families may also face long-term hardships when a primary breadwinner is injured or killed.
Shipowner Responsibilities to Prevent Falls
Shipowners are legally obligated to minimize risks and ensure safe working conditions aboard their vessels. This includes fulfilling specific legal duties under maritime law, such as the turnover duty, active control duty, and duty to intervene.
- Turnover Duty: Before work begins, the shipowner must inspect the vessel and ensure that ladders, gangways, hatches, and elevated platforms are safe for use. Any known hazards must be repaired or clearly communicated to workers.
- Active Control Duty: If the shipowner or crew retains control over cargo operations or equipment, they must ensure that all safety measures are in place. This includes securing ladders, installing safety railings, and providing proper lighting.
- Duty to Intervene: If the shipowner observes dangerous conditions—such as damaged ladders or open hatches—and the stevedore fails to address the hazard, the shipowner must step in to prevent injury.
By fulfilling these duties, shipowners can help prevent falls and protect workers from life-changing injuries. Neglecting these responsibilities creates dangerous conditions that put workers at unnecessary risk.
Legal Options for Injured Longshore Workers
Longshore workers injured in falls from heights are protected under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), which provides essential benefits, including:
- Medical Coverage: Compensation for doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment related to the injury.
- Lost Wages: Benefits for income lost while the worker recovers and is unable to return to work.
- Permanent Disability Benefits: Compensation for workers who suffer long-term or permanent disabilities as a result of their injuries.
In addition to LHWCA benefits, injured workers may also pursue a third-party negligence claim against the shipowner. If the shipowner’s failure to meet their legal duties caused or contributed to the accident, workers may seek additional compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life.
To succeed in a third-party claim, workers must prove that the shipowner breached their duty—whether by failing to inspect ladders, leaving open hatches unsecured, or neglecting safety measures like railings. A maritime injury attorney can investigate the incident, gather evidence, and help build a strong case for compensation.
Contact a Maritime Injury Lawyer for Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in a fall while working aboard a vessel, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses. Falls from heights are preventable when shipowners meet their legal obligations to ensure safe working conditions. When they fail to do so, injured workers have the right to hold them accountable.
At Spagnoletti Law Firm, our experienced maritime injury attorneys understand the devastating consequences of falls for longshore workers and their families. We are committed to fighting for the compensation you deserve, whether through benefits under the LHWCA or a third-party negligence claim. Contact us online or call 713-804-9306 for a free consultation today. Let us help you take the first step toward recovery and justice.