INSIDE THE NUMBERS: BRITANNIA P&I’S MOST COMMON ILLNESS AND INJURY CLAIMS Published: 13 January 2026 As part of our continuous dedication to supporting seafarers in the industry, we’ve gathered a list of the most common illness and injury claims we receive so we can equip you with the knowledge to stay healthy and safe. Alongside Dr. Katherine Sinclaire from MedSea, we’ve analysed and reported on all the illness and injury claims we’ve received in the last two policy years from 2022/2023 to 2023/2024. This article dives into the most common causes of claims we see and provides information to help you stay healthy to prevent certain illnesses and safety advice so you can avoid common mishaps at sea and improve your team’s safety culture. ILLNESSES: Among our crew claims, illnesses make up the majority of them. These illnesses have a variety of causes, from age to lifestyle and genetics. The risks of many can be reduced by maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle, and by being aware of how to spot and treat certain symptoms. We’ve provided a further look into a few notable illnesses, highlighted below.   Abdominal The majority of illness claims we see are due to abdominal pathology, however this category contains a wide variety of diagnoses. Within the overall abdominal category, we see the highest number of claims relating to appendicitis (18%), haemorrhoids (16%), and hernias (14%). These more common varieties are explored in more detail below: Appendicitis is a common surgical emergency caused by inflammation of the appendix, with the biggest danger being rupture and life-threatening infection. It most often affects people aged 10-30 and requires prompt medical attention, especially at sea where many conditions can mimic its symptoms. Early Telemedical Advice Service (TMAS) consultation is vital, and while surgery is the definitive treatment, starting appropriate antibiotics may help prevent deterioration until the person can be transported to shore med