Amputation injuries can be very severe. Many workers who do manual labor, such as those who help with loading and unloading ships, are at risk of amputation injuries, especially involving the fingers. Amputations could also involve hands, feet, arms or legs.
Every amputation injury is different. Some amputations are relatively clean cuts, and the finger or limb can be reattached. Some workers will ultimately return to the job after they recover.
In other cases, the injury is more damaging, such as a crush injury. Because it is not a clean cut, reattachment may not be as successful. It also depends on how quickly a person gets medical treatment. This is why someone who suffers an amputation injury on a ship may have lower odds of a successful reattachment, simply because it takes time to get them to a medical center.
How could these injuries happen?
Amputation injuries can happen in many ways, such as:
- Fingers getting caught between two hard surfaces, such as when loading cargo containers
- A vessel’s rope, chain or other lines getting wrapped around a finger
- Working with power tools and machinery, such as saws or conveyor belts
- Being involved in a catastrophic event, such as an explosion during loading or while the vessel is at sea
No matter how the injury happens, amputation injuries are some of the most severe that can be suffered by maritime workers. They could have a long-term impact on a person’s career and opportunities in life. That is why it is so important for injured workers to be well aware of all of the legal options at their disposal.