Hand injuries are one of the most common and life-changing accidents that happen at sea. Whether you work on a commercial fishing vessel, a cargo ship, or were injured as a passenger, damage to your hand can affect your ability to work, support yourself, and carry out everyday tasks.
Maritime work involves constant use of heavy equipment, moving lines, and tight spaces. One mistake, or one unsafe condition, can lead to serious harm in seconds. You may be dealing with a crushed finger, a deep cut, or something more severe like an amputation. These injuries are not just painful. They can follow you for the rest of your life.
At Latti Associates, we represent maritime workers and passengers across the country who have suffered serious hand injuries. We know how these accidents happen and what it takes to build a strong case under maritime law.
Your hands are always in motion when working at sea. That makes them especially vulnerable around equipment and cargo. Many injuries happen because something on the vessel was not safe or not handled properly.
Some of the most common causes include:
Even passengers can suffer serious hand injuries, especially during boarding, docking, or when moving around tight spaces on a vessel. These incidents often come down to preventable issues. When equipment is not safe or procedures are not followed, the risk of injury increases.
No two hand injuries are exactly the same. Some heal over time, while others lead to permanent damage that affects your ability to work.
We have handled cases involving:
In more serious cases, people are left dealing with long-term pain, loss of grip strength, or limited movement. Some injuries make it impossible to return to the same type of work.
After an accident, it is common for vessel owners or insurance companies to claim that the injury was your fault. They may argue that you placed your hand in a dangerous position or were not paying attention. In many cases, that is not the full story.
Responsibility often falls on:
Maritime law, including the Jones Act, allows injured workers to recover compensation when negligence or unsafe conditions played a role. There are also claims based on unseaworthiness, which focus on whether the vessel and its equipment were fit for use. At Latti Associates, we take a close look at what really happened and work to show where things went wrong.
A serious hand injury can affect every part of your life. Medical care, time away from work, and long-term limitations all add up quickly. Depending on your case, compensation may include:
In cases involving amputation or severe damage, ongoing care may be needed for years. This can include physical therapy, prosthetics, and treatment for nerve-related pain. We work to make sure these long-term effects are fully accounted for when pursuing a claim.
Hand injuries can happen to anyone on the water. Our firm represents a wide range of clients, including:
No matter your role, if your injury happened on the water or in a maritime setting, your case may fall under specific laws that are different from standard personal injury claims.
Maritime law is not the same as land-based injury law. These cases involve unique rules, timelines, and legal standards that can affect the outcome. Latti Associates is based in Boston and represents clients nationwide. Led by trial lawyer Carolyn Latti, our firm brings decades of experience handling Jones Act and maritime injury claims. Our work is built on careful preparation, strong case strategy, and a long history of results in serious injury cases.
We understand the realities of maritime work and the impact these injuries have on workers and their families.
If your hand was injured on a boat, ship, or offshore job, you do not have to deal with the aftermath on your own. These cases often involve complex legal issues and strong opposition from insurance companies. Contact the experienced team at Latti Associates to discuss your maritime hand injury case. We represent injured workers and passengers nationwide and are ready to help you move forward.
