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Learn More >>Ordinary Seaman
An Ordinary Seaman is typically the lowest ranked member of the deck crew, and may take part in a wide range of activities on a ship that exposes him to the risk of injuries.
A Ordinary Seaman's position is an entry-level position on the vessel. These workers may be answerable to able-bodied seamen, engineers and other crewmembers who hold a higher rank than them, which can include almost everyone else on the vessel.
An Ordinary Seaman typically performs cleaning and maintenance activities on a vessel. He made be in charge of garbage collection and disposal, and maintenance of the vessel's interior. He may also be given sundry assorted jobs on the ship, like securing cargo, hauling cargo, and assisting able-bodied seamen and other crew members in their tasks. He may even have a place on the bridge watching team, and this may be one of his most important duties because after a period of time, he may be promoted to the position of an able-bodied seaman. Bridge watch keeping is one of the most important responsibilities of an able-bodied seaman.
An Ordinary Seaman may have one of the most physical jobs on the vessel. Much of his day is spent cleaning, scrubbing, scraping, washing, maintaining, fixing, lifting and hauling, and it is important that he be in prime physical condition. High stamina and physical strength is extremely important, and he must be able to lift heavy weights.
These kinds of activities also place an Ordinary Seaman at some of the highest rates of injuries on a vessel. An Ordinary Seaman typically works very long hours, often much longer than other workers on the vessel. That's because the position involves a lot of learning and picking up skills, which will be very important when the Ordinary Seaman moves on to the next rung of the ladder - the position of an able-bodied seaman on the vessel.
Common injuries seen among such workers are
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Back injuries from lifting heavy weights
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Repetitive stress injuries from performing the same activity over and over again every day
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Inflammation of joints
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Injuries from falls and fractures
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Strains and sprains
The maritime lawyers at Schechter McElwee Shaffer & Harris have decades of expertise representing injured deckhands, ordinary seamen, able bodied seamen, roustabouts, drillers, and other maritime workers, and helping them file Jones Act claims of negligence and unseaworthiness claims against their employers. If you have been injured in an accident on a vessel, contact a maritime attorney at our firm for a free evaluation of your case. All initial consultations are free. We do not charge you a fee until we recover compensation for you.
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