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What Are Some Illnesses You Could Contract as a Maritime Worker?

Maritime workers deal with dangerous situations and circumstances every day while they’re working. They are exposed to deadly toxins, gases, and other harmful substances frequently. As a result of this, many career maritime workers suffer from various occupational diseases and illnesses. These occupational diseases are a result of long-term exposure to industrial toxins and dangerous fumes, and these illnesses can be deadly.

What Are These Diseases?

One of the key elements of occupational diseases is that they develop over a long period of time, so they can be hard to spot at early stages in order to prevent them from developing further. However, the more that seamen and maritime workers know about these diseases and how they could contract them, the better off they will be in avoiding them. Some of these illnesses are:

  • Mesothelioma: This disease is one of the most well-known. Also known as asbestosis, this cancer develops in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart, and is caused by the exposure to asbestos, which is a mineral found at oil rigs and shipyards, among other places.
  • Pneumonia: This illness refers to a severe inflammation of the lungs. Maritime workers could get pneumonia by inhaling toxic fumes or other dangerous gases while working.
  • Hearing loss: Maritime workers are at a great risk for losing their hearing, due to large machinery and tools being used daily.
  • Heart disease: Heart disease can have many causes, but research has shown that active workers (such as maritime workers) who are exposed to repetitive strain, motion and overuse have a great risk of heart disease.

Oil rig and shipyard workplaces are responsible for keeping their workers safe and providing safety equipment to help reduce these occupational diseases. However, long-term exposure is hard to fully prevent, and many workers still face these illnesses. If you have been diagnosed with any of these occupational diseases due to maritime workplace exposure, you deserve to seek compensation. Contact the law firm of Stevenson & Murray today to get proper legal guidance through this tough time.

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