Working on or around the water can be exciting, but it’s also unpredictable. Weather shifts, moving decks, heavy equipment, tight quarters, and long shifts can turn a normal day into a life-changing one in seconds. If you’ve been hurt offshore, on a vessel, at a dock, or in another maritime setting, you’re probably asking a very practical question: “Does my injury actually qualify for a maritime injury claim?”

The answer is often yes—but it depends on where you work, what you were doing, how the injury happened, and what kind of harm you’re dealing with. Maritime law is its own world, with specific rules that don’t always match what people assume from standard workplace injury cases on land.

This guide breaks down the types of injuries that commonly qualify, how maritime claims look at “injury,” and what evidence tends to matter. It’s written in a plain-English way, but it’s also thorough—because when you’re injured, the details are what usually decide whether you get fair compensation and proper support.

Maritime injury claims in real life: what “qualify” usually means

When people say an injury “qualifies,” they usually mean one of two things. First, the injury must be connected to maritime work or a maritime environment in a way that triggers maritime law protections. Second, the injury must be serious enough (or documented enough) to justify compensation beyond a quick clinic visit and a few days off.

In maritime cases, “qualifying” isn’t limited to dramatic accidents like explosions or helicopter crashes. Many valid claims come from repetitive strain, chemical exposure, or a slip that seems minor at first but later turns into chronic pain or a surgery.

It also helps to know that maritime law recognizes more than just the injury itself. The legal system often considers the cause (unsafe conditions, poor training, defective equipment, fatigue), the impact (missed work, reduced earning capacity), and the long-term medical needs (rehab, medication, future procedures).

Where you work matters: vessel, platform, dock, or shoreline

Maritime injury claims can apply to a wide range of workplaces: commercial fishing boats, cargo ships, tugboats, ferries, offshore rigs, supply vessels, shipyards, docks, and even certain roles that move between land and water. The same physical injury can be treated differently depending on whether you’re considered a “seaman,” a longshore worker, or another type of maritime employee.

That sounds technical, but here’s why it matters: different worker categories can change what you must prove, what benefits are available, and who may be responsible. In some situations, you may pursue claims tied to vessel negligence, unseaworthiness, or maintenance and cure. In others, you may fall under a workers’ compensation-style system for maritime workers.

If you’re unsure where you fit, it’s usually worth speaking with someone who handles these cases regularly. Many injured workers start by talking to an offshore accident attorney because offshore and maritime cases tend to overlap, and the right professional can quickly identify which legal route makes sense for your job and your injury.

Traumatic injuries that almost always qualify

Traumatic injuries are the ones most people picture: a sudden incident causes immediate harm. These injuries typically qualify for a maritime injury claim when they happen during the course of employment or due to unsafe working conditions, vessel issues, or third-party negligence.

Even if you think you “walked it off,” don’t underestimate trauma. Maritime work is physically demanding, and a seemingly manageable injury can worsen when you’re back on shift, climbing ladders, bracing on rough seas, or lifting heavy gear.

Broken bones and fractures

Fractures happen in maritime work for all the obvious reasons: slips on wet decks, falls from ladders, line-handling injuries, dropped loads, pinch points, and collisions with moving equipment. Hands, wrists, ribs, ankles, and shoulders are common sites.

Broken bones can be straightforward or complicated. A clean fracture that heals well may still qualify, especially if it causes missed work, requires surgery, or leads to long-term limitations. More complex fractures—crush injuries, compound fractures, or fractures involving joints—often involve extended rehab and may leave permanent impairment.

Documentation tends to be strong in these cases: X-rays, imaging, surgical notes, physical therapy plans, and work restrictions make it easier to connect the injury to the incident and show the real impact on your ability to work.

Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

Head injuries can come from falls, being struck by equipment, or being thrown by vessel movement. Even a “mild” concussion can create weeks or months of symptoms—headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light, sleep problems, irritability, and trouble concentrating.

TBIs are especially important in maritime claims because the job often requires constant awareness and fast decision-making. If your attention, balance, or reaction time is affected, returning to duty may be unsafe or impossible for a while.

If you suspect a concussion or TBI, getting evaluated quickly is critical. Maritime work can tempt people to push through, but early assessment (and follow-up neuro testing if needed) can protect both your health and your claim.

Spinal injuries: back and neck trauma

Back and neck injuries are among the most common—and most disruptive—maritime injuries. A fall, sudden twist, heavy lift, or impact can cause herniated discs, nerve compression, muscle tears, or spinal fractures.

These injuries can look “minor” on day one and become debilitating later. That’s partly because inflammation and nerve symptoms can build over time, and partly because offshore work often doesn’t allow for truly resting an injured back.

Spinal injuries frequently involve long-term treatment: pain management, physical therapy, injections, or surgery. They also tend to affect future earning potential, especially if your job requires climbing, lifting, or long hours on unstable surfaces.

Severe lacerations, amputations, and crush injuries

Line-handling, winches, cranes, and heavy machinery are unforgiving. Lacerations may involve nerve damage or tendon injuries that require surgery and months of rehab. Crush injuries can cause compartment syndrome, broken bones, and long-term loss of function.

Amputations and partial amputations are obviously life-changing, but maritime claims also recognize “functional loss” injuries—where a hand, finger, or limb is technically intact but can’t be used normally due to nerve damage or severe stiffness.

These cases often require detailed medical records, functional capacity evaluations, and sometimes vocational assessments to show how the injury changes what work you can realistically do going forward.

Soft tissue injuries that still count (and why they’re often disputed)

Soft tissue injuries include sprains, strains, torn ligaments, and muscle injuries. They can be extremely painful and disruptive, but they’re sometimes treated skeptically because they may not show up clearly on basic imaging.

In maritime settings, soft tissue injuries are common because workers are constantly stabilizing themselves—bracing against motion, catching loads, twisting in tight spaces, and lifting awkward equipment. Over time, those movements can cause real damage.

The key is consistent documentation: prompt reporting, medical evaluation, follow-up visits, and a clear treatment plan. If you wait weeks to seek care, it becomes easier for an insurer or employer to argue the injury wasn’t work-related.

Shoulder injuries: rotator cuff tears and labral damage

Shoulder injuries can happen suddenly (a heavy lift, a fall, a jerk from a line) or develop over time from repetitive overhead work. Rotator cuff tears and labral injuries are common and can limit lifting, pulling, and reaching.

Because maritime work often demands upper-body strength, shoulder injuries can keep you off duty longer than you’d expect. Surgery and rehab can take months, and even after recovery, you may have restrictions that affect your role.

MRIs, orthopedic evaluations, and therapy records are often central in proving the severity and showing that the injury isn’t just soreness—it’s structural damage.

Knee injuries: meniscus tears and ligament damage

Knees take a beating on ladders, slick decks, and uneven surfaces. A twist while carrying gear or stepping awkwardly can tear a meniscus or strain an ACL/MCL. Swelling and instability can make it hard to stand watch or move safely around the vessel.

Knee injuries can also be “compensatory,” meaning they worsen because you’re limping or favoring one side after another injury. That’s still important to document because it can affect the overall value and scope of a claim.

Like shoulder injuries, knee claims often rely on imaging, specialist notes, and clear descriptions of how the injury limits work tasks.

Wrist, hand, and elbow injuries from repetitive work

Repetitive gripping, tool use, vibration exposure, and awkward wrist positions can lead to tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other overuse injuries. These conditions can be slow to develop, which sometimes makes workers doubt whether they “count.”

They can qualify, especially when work duties are a major contributing factor. The maritime environment can accelerate these problems due to cold, wet conditions and the need to use more force to control equipment.

These claims tend to be stronger when you can show a clear pattern: job tasks that require repetitive motion, medical evaluations over time, and restrictions that align with the condition.

Burns, chemical exposure, and respiratory injuries

Maritime work can expose you to fuels, solvents, welding fumes, cargo chemicals, cleaning agents, and confined spaces with poor ventilation. Injuries aren’t always immediate. Sometimes the harm builds over days, weeks, or years.

These cases can be more complex than a simple fall because you may need to prove what you were exposed to, how long, and whether the employer provided proper protective equipment and safety procedures.

If you’re dealing with persistent breathing issues, skin burns, or unusual symptoms after exposure, getting a thorough medical evaluation and documenting the workplace conditions can make a big difference.

Thermal burns and scalds

Burns can occur from fires, steam lines, hot surfaces, welding, electrical faults, or cooking equipment on vessels. Even smaller burns can lead to infection, scarring, and nerve pain—especially when you’re working in salty, humid environments.

More severe burns may require grafts, long hospital stays, and ongoing scar management. They can also cause psychological distress, which is often overlooked but very real.

Burn cases typically involve incident reports, photos, medical notes, and sometimes investigations into equipment failures or safety protocol breakdowns.

Chemical burns and toxic exposure

Chemical burns can happen quickly, but toxic exposure can also show up later as respiratory irritation, chronic cough, headaches, neurological symptoms, or skin issues. Cleaning chemicals, cargo residues, and fuel vapors are common suspects.

One challenge is that exposure isn’t always obvious. You may just feel “off” after a shift in a poorly ventilated area or after handling certain substances. If multiple crew members experienced symptoms, that pattern can be important.

Medical testing, safety data sheets (SDS), and records of ventilation/PPE practices can help connect the dots between exposure and injury.

Asbestos and long-latency illnesses

Depending on the vessel’s age and the type of work performed, some maritime workers may have been exposed to asbestos in insulation, engine rooms, and older materials. Illnesses related to asbestos can take years to emerge.

Long-latency conditions are harder emotionally and legally because you’re often dealing with serious illness while also reconstructing exposure history. Still, maritime workers have brought claims based on these exposures, especially when safety measures were inadequate.

If you suspect a long-term exposure issue, it’s worth gathering your work history, vessel names, job duties, and any records of materials handled. Those details can matter later.

Psychological injuries and mental health impacts

Maritime injuries aren’t always visible. After a serious accident, many workers experience anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, or symptoms consistent with PTSD—especially if the incident involved a near-drowning, explosion, severe injury to a coworker, or extended time in danger.

Mental health injuries can qualify, particularly when they’re tied to a traumatic event at work or occur alongside physical injuries. The key is that they must be documented and diagnosed, not just described casually.

Therapy records, psychiatric evaluations, and consistent reporting of symptoms can help show the real effect on daily functioning and ability to return to work safely.

PTSD after catastrophic incidents

PTSD can involve flashbacks, panic attacks, nightmares, avoidance of triggers, and hypervigilance. Offshore environments can intensify these symptoms because returning to the same setting may feel unsafe even if the physical hazard has been addressed.

It’s common for workers to feel pressure to “tough it out.” But untreated PTSD can get worse and can affect performance, safety, and relationships. Seeking care is a health decision first—and it also creates the documentation needed for a claim.

When PTSD is connected to a specific workplace event, claims may include compensation for treatment costs, time off work, and the broader impact on quality of life.

Depression and anxiety during recovery

Even without a single catastrophic moment, long recoveries can wear people down. Chronic pain, loss of income, and isolation (especially if you’re used to a tight-knit crew) can trigger depression or anxiety.

These conditions can also affect physical healing. Poor sleep and heightened stress can increase pain perception and slow rehab progress. That’s why many treatment plans now include mental health support as part of recovery.

In a claim context, it helps when your mental health provider connects symptoms to the injury and recovery process and outlines how it affects your ability to work and function.

Repetitive stress and cumulative trauma: the slow-burn injuries

Not every maritime injury comes from a single event. Many workers develop problems over time due to repetitive movements, constant vibration, awkward postures, and long shifts with limited rest. These injuries can qualify, but they require careful documentation because there isn’t always a clear “accident date.”

Cumulative trauma claims often come down to medical opinions: does your doctor believe your job duties substantially contributed to the condition? A detailed description of your daily tasks can be as important as medical imaging.

If you’re noticing symptoms that build each hitch—numbness, tingling, worsening pain, reduced range of motion—treat it as a real issue early. Early treatment can prevent permanent damage and can strengthen the link between work and injury.

Chronic back pain from repeated lifting and vessel motion

Repeated lifting in tight spaces and constant micro-adjustments to balance on moving surfaces can cause chronic back pain. Over time, small disc issues can become herniations, and muscle strain can become persistent spasm and instability.

One tricky part is that workers often normalize back pain as “part of the job.” But when pain starts limiting sleep, mobility, or ability to complete tasks safely, it’s no longer just discomfort—it’s a potentially compensable condition.

Keeping a symptom log, reporting issues to a supervisor, and getting consistent medical care can all help show that the condition is real, progressive, and connected to the job.

Hearing loss and tinnitus

Engine rooms, machinery spaces, and certain deck operations can expose workers to high noise levels. Over time, this can lead to noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

Hearing loss can affect safety—missing alarms, radio calls, or shouted warnings—and it can limit future job options. It can also affect quality of life in a big way, even if it seems “minor” compared to other injuries.

Audiology testing and records of job-related noise exposure are often used to support these claims.

Vibration injuries and nerve issues

Regular use of vibrating tools and equipment can contribute to nerve problems, reduced grip strength, and circulation issues. Some workers experience numbness, tingling, or pain that worsens in cold conditions.

Because symptoms can fluctuate, it’s helpful to document when they occur, what tasks trigger them, and how they affect your ability to work. A medical provider may recommend nerve conduction studies or other tests to confirm the condition.

These injuries can be legitimate and compensable, particularly when you can show consistent exposure and a clear pattern of symptoms.

Illnesses and medical events at sea: when they become a claim

Sometimes the problem isn’t a classic “injury,” but a medical event that becomes worse due to delayed treatment, poor onboard medical response, or unsafe working conditions. Working offshore can mean limited medical resources and long transport times, which can turn a manageable issue into a serious one.

Whether these situations qualify depends on the facts. If the employer failed to provide reasonable medical care, ignored symptoms, or forced a worker to continue in unsafe conditions, there may be legal implications.

These cases are fact-heavy, so keeping records—symptom reports, requests for care, and any communications—can be important.

Infections and complications from untreated wounds

Small cuts and abrasions can become serious in marine environments. Saltwater, humidity, and limited sanitation can lead to infections that spread quickly. If a wound wasn’t cleaned properly or medical care was delayed, complications can follow.

Infections can lead to extended time off work, additional surgeries, or long-term problems. In some cases, they can also cause systemic illness.

Medical records showing the progression—from initial injury to infection—can help establish that the complication is tied to the original workplace incident.

Heat illness, dehydration, and fatigue-related events

Heat stress is a real issue on vessels and platforms, especially in hot climates or when PPE limits ventilation. Dehydration and heat exhaustion can lead to fainting, confusion, and increased risk of falls or equipment mistakes.

Fatigue is another major factor offshore. Long shifts and disrupted sleep can contribute to accidents and can worsen recovery. If a medical event is tied to unreasonable scheduling or inadequate rest policies, that context can matter.

When heat illness or fatigue plays a role, it’s useful to document conditions: temperature, workload, break opportunities, and whether hydration was readily available.

Accidents involving transport: crew boats, helicopters, and more

Getting to and from offshore sites can be one of the most dangerous parts of the job. Injuries can happen on crew boats, during transfers, or in aviation incidents. The legal route may differ depending on the type of transport and who operated it, but the injuries themselves can absolutely qualify for compensation.

Transport-related injuries often involve multiple parties: vessel operators, contractors, equipment manufacturers, or other companies involved in logistics. That can complicate things, but it can also open up additional avenues for recovery.

If your injury happened during offshore transport, it’s worth speaking with professionals who understand these crossovers. In aviation-related incidents, some workers also consult aviation injury claim specialists because the investigation process, evidence, and liability questions can look very different from a typical workplace injury.

Transfer injuries: slips, falls, and crush hazards during boarding

Transfers between vessels or from dock to vessel are high-risk moments. Wet surfaces, gaps, moving decks, poor lighting, and rushed operations can lead to falls or crush injuries.

Even if the injury seems like a “simple fall,” the setting matters. A fall onto metal edges or into a tight space can cause head trauma, back injuries, and fractures.

These cases often benefit from quick evidence collection: photos of the transfer area, witness accounts, and notes about sea state and weather.

Vehicle and equipment incidents on docks and terminals

Forklifts, cranes, trucks, and heavy cargo operations can cause serious injuries at ports and terminals. Workers may be struck, pinned, or injured by shifting loads.

Dock injuries can still involve maritime law protections, depending on your role and where the incident occurred. These cases also frequently involve safety regulation issues and third-party liability.

Incident reports, OSHA or similar safety investigations, and equipment maintenance logs can all become relevant.

What makes an injury “serious enough” for a claim?

People sometimes hesitate because they feel their injury isn’t “bad enough” to justify legal action. But seriousness isn’t only about dramatic visuals. An injury can be serious because it affects your ability to work, because it requires ongoing treatment, or because it changes your long-term health.

In maritime work, even moderate injuries can have outsized consequences. A knee injury that might be manageable in a desk job can be career-threatening if your work involves ladders, heavy lifting, and unstable surfaces.

In general, injuries are more likely to support a substantial claim when they involve surgery, extended time off work, permanent restrictions, chronic pain, or future medical needs.

Lost time, restricted duty, and reduced earning capacity

Missing work is one of the clearest indicators of impact. But restricted duty is also important. If you can’t return to your normal role, you may lose overtime, sea pay, advancement opportunities, or even your position.

Reduced earning capacity matters even if you return to work. If you can only work shorter hitches, avoid certain tasks, or move into lower-paying roles, that long-term loss can be part of a claim.

Pay stubs, job descriptions, and employer communications about restrictions can help show how the injury changed your work life.

Future medical care and long-term rehab

Many maritime injuries require more than a one-time treatment. Physical therapy, follow-up imaging, pain management, and future surgeries can add up quickly.

It’s also common for injuries to have flare-ups. A back injury might improve, then worsen after a return to duty. That doesn’t automatically mean the claim disappears—it often means the injury wasn’t fully resolved.

Medical opinions about future care needs can be a major factor in valuing a claim fairly.

How causation works: tying the injury to the maritime job

To qualify, you generally need to show that your work conditions caused or contributed to the injury. That doesn’t always mean your employer intended harm or even that there was a dramatic safety violation. Sometimes it’s enough that unsafe conditions existed, equipment wasn’t maintained, training was lacking, or reasonable precautions weren’t taken.

In practice, causation is built from small pieces: the timeline of symptoms, the incident report, witness statements, medical evaluations, and the consistency of your account over time.

If you’re worried because you had a pre-existing condition, don’t assume that disqualifies you. Maritime claims often consider aggravation of an existing injury—meaning work made it worse. The details and medical opinions are what matter.

Common causes that support maritime injury claims

Some recurring themes show up in maritime injury cases: slippery decks without proper non-skid measures, missing guardrails, poor lighting, inadequate staffing, rushed operations, defective tools, and lack of safety training.

Weather and sea state are part of offshore life, but employers still have a duty to operate safely within those conditions. If procedures were unsafe for the environment, that context can matter.

It’s also worth noting that “normal hazards” of the job don’t automatically excuse preventable injuries. Maritime work is risky, but that doesn’t mean workers should bear the cost of avoidable harm.

Evidence that helps (and what to do if you’re offshore)

If you can, report the injury immediately and ask for a written record. Get medical attention as soon as possible, even if it’s onboard first aid followed by an onshore clinic. Delays can create room for disputes.

When it’s safe and allowed, take photos of the scene, the equipment involved, and any visible injuries. Get names of witnesses. Write down what happened while it’s fresh, including time, location, and what you were doing.

If you’re still offshore and worried about retaliation or being brushed off, focus on your health and documentation. You don’t need to have all the answers right away, but you do want a clear record that the injury happened and that you sought care.

How maritime claims differ from standard workplace injury cases

One reason people feel confused is that maritime claims don’t always follow the same path as typical workers’ compensation. Depending on your role and location, your rights and options may be broader—or at least different—than what land-based workers expect.

Some maritime workers may have access to benefits that cover medical care and living expenses while recovering. Others may be able to pursue claims based on negligence or unsafe vessel conditions. Sorting that out early can prevent costly mistakes, like signing paperwork you don’t fully understand.

For workers who are not covered under classic maritime seaman rules, there may be other routes that resemble workplace injury systems. If your situation looks more like a traditional job injury process, it can help to explore legal help for injured workers so you understand deadlines, medical documentation requirements, and what benefits may be available.

Injuries that are often overlooked but can still qualify

Some injuries fall into a gray area because they’re not dramatic, or because they develop in a way that’s easy to dismiss. But these injuries can still qualify if they’re tied to the job and have real consequences.

Overlooking them can be expensive. If you don’t document the injury early, you may end up paying out of pocket later or struggling to prove that the condition is work-related.

If you’re on the fence, it’s usually better to get checked out and create a paper trail than to hope it disappears.

Dental injuries and facial trauma

Facial injuries can happen from falls, swinging equipment, snapped lines, or being struck by tools. Even if the injury is “just dental,” it can involve expensive treatment, long recovery, and ongoing pain.

Jaw injuries (TMJ issues), fractures, and nerve damage can also affect eating, speaking, and sleep. These impacts can be significant in a claim.

Photos, dental records, and specialist evaluations can help show the full scope of the injury.

Eye injuries and vision loss

Eye injuries can occur from chemical splashes, flying debris, welding arcs, and pressurized lines. Even minor eye injuries can create long-term sensitivity or vision problems.

Vision is a safety-critical sense in maritime work. If your vision is impaired, you may face restrictions that affect your role or your ability to return offshore.

Prompt ophthalmology evaluation is important both medically and legally, especially when the initial symptoms seem mild.

Near-drowning and hypoxia-related injuries

Falls overboard and near-drowning events can cause more than a scare. Lack of oxygen (hypoxia) can lead to neurological issues, and aspirating water can cause respiratory complications.

These incidents can also trigger long-term anxiety, panic, or PTSD symptoms. The combination of physical and psychological harm can be substantial.

If you experienced a near-drowning, follow-up medical evaluation is wise even if you feel okay shortly afterward.

Practical next steps if you think your injury qualifies

When you’re hurt, it’s hard to think strategically. But a few steps can protect your health and your rights at the same time. Start with medical care, then focus on documentation, then get clarity on what system applies to your job.

Also, be careful with early statements. It’s fine to report facts, but avoid guessing about fault or minimizing symptoms. Many workers say “I’m fine” out of habit, only to realize later they’re not.

If you’re offered forms, recorded statements, or settlement paperwork early on, slow down and make sure you understand what you’re agreeing to—especially if you’re still in pain or on medication.

Medical care, follow-up, and consistency

Follow the treatment plan as closely as you can. Gaps in care are one of the most common reasons insurers argue an injury wasn’t serious or wasn’t related to work.

If you can’t attend appointments due to offshore scheduling, document that and reschedule promptly. Telehealth may be an option for some follow-ups, especially for symptom tracking and medication management.

Be honest about your symptoms. Downplaying pain can lead to inadequate treatment and can also create inconsistencies in the medical record.

Work restrictions and safe return-to-duty planning

Returning to work too early can worsen injuries and can complicate a claim. If your doctor provides restrictions, take them seriously. Offshore environments aren’t forgiving, and “light duty” isn’t always truly light.

If your employer can accommodate restrictions safely, that can be a positive step. If not, forcing a return can create risk for you and others.

Keep copies of restrictions, fit-for-duty notes, and any communications about your ability to work.

Common questions people ask about qualifying injuries

What if the injury was partly my fault?

Maritime cases can still be viable even if you made a mistake, especially if unsafe conditions, poor training, or defective equipment played a role. Fault can be shared, and the details matter.

That’s one reason it’s important not to assume you’re disqualified just because you feel embarrassed about how it happened. Many accidents involve a chain of factors, not a single moment of human error.

Focus on accurate reporting and getting care. Let the professionals sort out the legal implications of fault.

What if I didn’t report it right away?

Late reporting can make a claim harder, but it doesn’t always end it. People delay reporting for many reasons: they’re offshore, they think it will improve, they don’t want to be seen as complaining, or they’re worried about their job.

If you didn’t report immediately, report as soon as you can and explain the delay factually. Then get medical evaluation and be consistent in describing when symptoms started and how they relate to work.

Supporting evidence—coworkers who noticed you struggling, messages sent at the time, or medical notes that match your timeline—can help.

Do minor injuries qualify?

They can, especially if “minor” becomes major. A sprain that turns into a tear, a cut that becomes infected, or a back tweak that becomes chronic pain can all be compensable when properly documented.

Even if the injury resolves quickly, you may still have medical bills, lost time, or other costs. Whether it’s worth pursuing formally depends on your situation and the impact.

If you’re unsure, getting advice early can prevent you from missing deadlines or losing access to benefits.

Maritime work is tough, and injuries come in many forms—from sudden trauma to slow-building damage that only becomes obvious once it starts limiting your life. If you’re dealing with pain, lost time, or uncertainty about your rights, the most important thing is to take the injury seriously, document it, and get the right guidance for your specific job and setting.