Slip and Fall Accidents

Published on: January 13, 2026

Maintenance and Cure Benefits Required for Cold Weather Injuries

January presents additional challenges for maritime personnel. The onset of icy conditions increases the risk associated with daily operations, making routine movements more hazardous and demanding heightened vigilance. Frozen equipment can fail when needed, and visibility drops during winter storms. The structural icing that builds up on vessels can affect stability in ways that turn a fishing trip or a tow into a life-threatening situation.

If you’ve been injured while working on a vessel during winter months, whether from a slip on an icy deck, equipment failure in freezing conditions, or any other cold-weather accident, you need to understand your rights under federal maritime law. The maintenance and cure doctrine exists precisely for moments like these, providing a safety net regardless of how or why the injury occurred.

Winter Brings Predictable Hazards

Published on: March 18, 2025

Maritime Safety Standards: Every Worker Should Be Safe

by Nigel Stacey

When deckhand Carlos slipped and fell during a routine operation in rough seas, he fractured his arm and was unable to work for months. An investigation revealed inadequate safety protocols, insufficient training, and a lack of clear communication had contributed to the accident. Had the vessel implemented effective training, emphasized clear safety communication, and ensured crew engagement in safety planning, Carlos’s injury might have been prevented.

Owners, workers, families, and communities all want workers to be safe at sea. Yet cultivating a true culture of maritime safety doesn’t happen overnight. It requires a structured effort beginning at the organization’s highest levels then filtering down the chain of command.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) clearly defines an effective safety culture as one where safety is prioritized and managed as meticulously as any other crucial business function. Achieving a culture of safety requires following best practices for safety across the maritime industry.

Published on: April 13, 2021

Maritime Slip and Fall Accidents

by Nigel Stacey

Each year fishermen, crewmembers, and deckhands are injured aboard fishing vessels due to slip and fall accidents. Many of these accidents occur on decks, ladders, and stairs, and most happen due to:

poorly maintained equipment
equipment that is out of compliance