Charter Boat Crewmember Injures Head When Vessel Runs Aground
The following is a guest blog post from Houston, Texas personal injury lawyers Schechter, McElwee, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P. The firm has dedicated Texas attorneys who have handled cases around the country for over 45 years.
Charter Boat Crewmember Injures Head When Vessel Runs Aground
A chart boat crewman suffered a head injury and was knocked unconscious early Monday morning. The Coast Guard medevaced a man who hit his head, knocking him unconscious after the charter boat Good Times he was working aboard ran hard aground in Walter Slough near Oregon Inlet.
The injured seaman was transferred to Outer Banks Hospital for medical treatment in Nags Head, North Carolina. Unfortunately his injuries were so severe he had to then be helicopter transferred to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia. Thankfully, the man is now listed in stable condition.
Maritime head injuries can be life-changing and permanently disabling. Head trauma often causes or leads to a traumatic brain injury or TBI. Anyone who experiences a blow to the head needs to seek immediate medical attention to avoid further damage.
Coast Guard personnel used the accident as a teaching moment and explained how high speed in shallow water is very dangerous. While no official word on the cause of the vessel grounding has been handed down, the mention and possibility of excessive speed might imply negligence on the part of the vessel operator.
Oregon Inlet has been filling up with sand more quickly than daily dredging operations can remove by shoaling. Coast Guard leaders indicated that this problem may cause a closure of the Inlet if conditions continue to worsen for the safety of all commercial vessels and recreational boaters. Running aground is dangerous for any vessel but happens commonly. The most common cause is human error. If you are part of a grounding incident, you should assess your situation before reacting too quickly to avoid further damaging your boat.
If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in a maritime accident, please contact an offshore injury lawyer as soon as possible to find out about your legal rights. The statute of limitations, or time within which you are able to file your lawsuit varies depending upon where your accident happened and other issues. Time is of the essence.