Burn injuries at sea are some of the most painful and life-changing accidents a person can go through. What starts as a routine task in an engine room or on deck can turn into a fire or explosion in seconds.
Maritime workers are often surrounded by fuel, heat, pressurized systems, and hazardous materials. When something goes wrong, there is little room to escape. The result can be severe burns that require long-term medical care and leave lasting physical and emotional effects.
At Latti Associates, we represent maritime workers and passengers nationwide who have suffered serious burn injuries. Our firm has decades of experience handling cases involving vessel fires, explosions, and chemical exposure.
Even though you are surrounded by water, the risk of fire and burns is always present on a vessel. Many burn injuries happen because equipment fails or safety procedures are not followed.
Some of the most common causes include:
These incidents are often tied to unsafe conditions on the vessel. When maintenance is ignored or equipment is defective, the risk increases.
Burn injuries can vary in severity, but even moderate burns can lead to serious complications. In maritime settings, burns are often more severe due to delayed medical care and the conditions on board.
We represent clients dealing with:
In the most serious cases, burn injuries can affect large areas of the body and lead to permanent scarring, limited movement, and long-term pain.
Burn injuries rarely happen without a reason. In many cases, they are the result of unsafe working conditions or preventable failures. Liability may involve:
Under maritime law, injured workers may have claims based on negligence or unseaworthiness. These claims focus on whether the vessel and its equipment were safe for use and whether proper steps were taken to prevent harm. Injured maritime workers may also be entitled to benefits like maintenance and cure, which cover daily living expenses and medical care during recovery.
Burn injuries often go far beyond the initial accident. Recovery can take months or years, and some effects may never fully go away.
Many burn victims face:
These injuries can affect your ability to return to work and maintain the same quality of life as before the accident.
Latti Associates has handled serious burn injury cases involving vessel fires and explosions. In one case, a tug boat engineer suffered burns across his entire body after a pressurized oil pipe failed in the engine room.
The oil ignited upon contact with the engine, filling the space with fire. He was able to escape the engine room but later passed away from his injuries. Our firm represented the case and secured an $8,000,000 settlement, which included compensation for the pain and suffering he experienced before his death.
This type of case shows how quickly conditions on a vessel can turn dangerous and why thorough investigation is so important.
Burn injury claims at sea often involve complex investigations, including reviewing vessel records, equipment maintenance, and crew actions. These cases may also involve multiple parties, including vessel owners, employers, and equipment manufacturers. Latti Associates is based in Boston and represents clients nationwide. Led by trial lawyer Carolyn Latti, our firm has decades of experience handling maritime injury cases involving serious harm.
We work closely with medical professionals and experts to understand the full impact of burn injuries and to build strong cases for our clients. If you were burned while working on a vessel or injured in a fire or explosion at sea, it is important to take action as soon as possible. These cases often depend on early investigation and strong legal strategy.
