As soon as an injury occurs, the first thing that needs to be done is to seek medical treatment, including treatment for maritime injuries. Even if you do not intend to file a lawsuit, even if you are not planning on filing one, you want this to be on the record in case of a lawsuit, no matter how much pain and suffering you are facing. If you decided to sue at a later date due to your injury, then you give yourself the option of going to court at that time as you never know what the long-term implications of your injury may be. It is also important to remember that you may not be aware of the full extent of your injuries - this is why it is best to consult a medical professional before making a final judgment. It is extremely important that you take pictures of the vessel and the area where you were injured as soon as possible following your accident, if you are able to do so. Make sure that you have a workmate who is capable of taking photos for you if you are not able to take them yourself. As long as you have covered all your bases before you file a lawsuit, you should do so even if you do not plan to file a lawsuit for your maritime injury. If the injury was caused by something other than what caused it, take photographs of the surroundings, as well as if any equipment or machinery was being used prior to the injury, and any machinery that was being used.