A commercial fishing crew accidentally pulled up live, unexploded artillery while clamming, which caused the destruction of 700 cases of chowder and one fishermen to sustain second-degree burns.
While the authorities were unable to determine what the ordnance was, the fisherman’s burns were consistent with mustard agent exposure. Mustard gas can cause skin blisters, blindness, lung damage and even death. However, it is not uncommon for commercial fishing vessels to dredge up munitions along the Atlantic, given that old environmental laws used to permit dumping hazardous munitions into the sea. If your vessel comes across unexploded ordnance, you should avoid it and notify the U.S. Coast Guard immediately.
Burn Injuries Are Still a Real Threat to Workers, Even at Sea
Maritime workers may think that because they are surrounded by water, it isn’t possible to be vulnerable to burn injuries. However, maritime workers can sustain serious burn injuries from a variety of sources, including:
- Old ordnances
- Boiler room or engine room accidents
- Corrosive chemicals
- Cargo that is flammable
- Steam or hot water from pipes
- Explosions
- Fires
Unfortunately, burn injuries come with expensive medical costs, extreme pain and possible emotional trauma. More often than not, burn victims require painful skin grafts and multiple reconstruction surgeries that put them at a high risk for infections.
However, workers who sustain burn injuries due to negligence while working at sea are protected by the Jones Act, which requires the vessel owner to provide damages for:
- Past and future lost wages
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Wrongful death damages to families who lose their loved ones
As maritime attorney David Anderson explains, employers are responsible for providing a safe working environment for maritime workers. When that is not the case and a seaman is injured, it is important to consult with a maritime attorney, who can protect your rights.
Latti Associates LLC is a maritime injury law firm that has been helping those hurt at sea for 50 years.
Source: http://www.telegram.com/news/20160812/clammer-is-injured-dredging-up-old-bomb-chowder-gets-tossed