- Maritime burn injuries — from fires, explosions, chemical exposure, and electrical equipment — are among the most catastrophic injuries a seaman or offshore worker can suffer, often resulting in permanent disfigurement, disability, and long-term medical care.
- When a maritime employer fails to maintain safe equipment, enforce safety protocols, or provide adequate protective gear, injured workers have Jones Act negligence and unseaworthiness claims that go far beyond workers’ compensation.
- The ARCO advantage: Lambert Zainey secured multi-million dollar settlements for workers killed or injured in the 1990 ARCO pipeline explosion — one of the firm’s most significant burn injury case results.
- Severe burn injuries typically require surgery including skin grafts, prolonged rehabilitation, and in many cases permanent lifestyle adjustments. Early settlement offers rarely account for these long-term costs.
- Do not sign anything from your employer or their insurer before speaking with a maritime attorney. In serious burn cases, vessel owners frequently invoke the Limitation of Liability Act to cap what they pay — having experienced legal representation from the beginning is critical.
Fires, explosions, chemical spills, and electrical failures happen on vessels and offshore platforms across the Gulf Coast every year. The U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement recorded 192 offshore injuries in 2025 — and burns are among the most common and most severe outcomes when those incidents involve fire, heat, or chemical exposure.
When a maritime burn injury results from an employer’s failure to maintain safe equipment, enforce safety protocols, or provide adequate protective gear, that failure is not just a safety violation — it is legal negligence. Lambert Zainey has represented burn injury victims in Gulf Coast maritime cases for nearly 50 years, including multi-million dollar settlements for workers injured in the 1990 ARCO pipeline explosion.
Common causes of maritime burn injuries include:
Types of Maritime Burn Injuries
Burn injuries are distinguished by severe skin damage that causes the affected skin cells to die.
Burn injuries are classified in three broad categories, based on their severity:
First-degree burns. Only the epidermis (outer layer of skin) is affected. Symptoms are temporary and include redness of the skin, minor pain, swelling, and tenderness.
Second-degree burns. Also known as partial thickness burns. These are a little more serious, affecting the epidermis and dermis (lower layer of skin) and can take longer to heal than first-degree burns.
Third-degree burns. Also known as full thickness burns, penetrate through the dermis, affecting deeper tissues. These types of burns can be very painful and result in scarring.
Symptoms of Maritime Burn Injuries
Symptoms of marine burn injuries depend on the type and cause of burn, and can include:
Minor first- and second-degree burns respond well to first aid treatment. They usually resolve themselves with little or no complications. However, the same isn’t true for severe second- or third-degree burns.
Potentially life-threatening complications that can result from third-degree burns include:
Maritime workers with severe burn injuries may require:
Steps Employers Should Take to Prevent Burns
Proper safety training and equipment is essential to preventing maritime burn injuries. Some of the ways maritime employers can help prevent the causes of these injuries include:
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What you do after an accident is critical. Insurance companies will try to get you to make mistakes that can hurt your claim. Our free guide can help you avoid these traps.
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Get the Compensation You Deserve For Your Maritime Burn Injuries
Have you suffered burns as a result of a maritime accident caused by employer negligence? The Jones Act and other maritime laws give you the right to seek compensation for your injuries. This includes maintenance and cure benefits.
Lambert Zainey has been protecting the rights of injured maritime workers since the 1970s. We have an proven success record when it comes to representing maritime workers with burn injuries, including multi-million dollar settlements for the workers killed or injured in the 1990 Arco pipeline explosion.
You only have a limited time in which to take action. Contact Lambert Zainey to speak with an experienced maritime injury attorney about your claim.
