Injured at sea or on an offshore rig? A Houston maritime attorney can help you understand your rights and pursue compensation under the Jones Act and other maritime laws.
Why You Need an Experienced Houston Maritime Attorney After an Offshore Injury
Houston, Texas, is a global epicenter for maritime commerce, offshore oil drilling, and shipping. As a result, thousands of maritime workers—including seamen, oil rig employees, longshoremen, and harbor workers—are employed in high-risk environments every day. When accidents happen, the injuries can be life-altering.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a maritime accident, working with a skilled Houston maritime attorney is essential. Maritime law is highly specialized, and only an attorney with specific experience in this field can effectively represent you.
What Is Maritime Law?
Maritime law, also known as admiralty law, governs legal matters that occur on navigable waters. It applies to injuries that occur on ships, barges, oil rigs, docks, and other marine-related environments. It is a complex combination of federal statutes, international conventions, and traditional maritime principles.
Key areas of maritime law include:
- Jones Act claims (for injured seamen)
- Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)
- General Maritime Law claims
- Unseaworthiness claims
- Maintenance and cure benefits
- Wrongful death at sea
- Offshore oil rig injury lawsuits
Each type of claim involves different procedures, eligibility requirements, and compensation options. That’s why hiring a maritime lawyer in Houston who knows these laws inside and out is critical to your case.
Types of Maritime Workers We Represent
A qualified Houston offshore injury lawyer can represent individuals across a wide range of maritime professions, including:
- Commercial fishermen
- Deckhands
- Tugboat and barge crew members
- Oil rig and platform workers
- Tanker ship crew
- Dredge and cargo ship workers
- Longshore and harbor employees
- Dock and port laborers
Whether you’re a crew member on a supply vessel or an offshore roustabout, your legal protections depend on your job duties, your work location, and the specific maritime law that applies to your case.
Common Offshore and Maritime Injuries
Working offshore or in maritime environments comes with unique hazards. Some of the most common injuries we see in Houston maritime law cases include:
- Slip and fall injuries on wet decks
- Crush injuries from heavy equipment or cargo
- Spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Severe burns from fires or explosions on rigs
- Injuries caused by lack of safety equipment or training
- Repetitive motion injuries due to long shifts
- Amputations from machinery accidents
- Drownings and overboard accidents
These injuries often require long-term care, rehabilitation, and significant time off work. A seasoned Houston maritime injury attorney can help calculate the full scope of your damages and demand fair compensation from the responsible parties.
The Jones Act: Your Rights as a Seaman
One of the most powerful tools for injured maritime workers is the Jones Act. Under this federal law, eligible seamen who are injured due to employer negligence or an unsafe vessel may file a lawsuit for damages.
To qualify under the Jones Act, a worker must:
- Spend at least 30% of their work time aboard a vessel in navigable waters
- Be employed in a role that contributes to the vessel’s mission
- Be injured due to negligence or unseaworthiness
Unlike traditional workers’ compensation, the Jones Act allows injured seamen to sue for pain and suffering, loss of earning capacity, medical expenses, and more.
A top-rated Houston Jones Act attorney can help you determine if you qualify and file a strong claim on your behalf.
Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)
If you work on or near navigable waters but don’t qualify as a seaman, you may be covered under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). This federal law provides workers’ compensation-style benefits for:
- Dockworkers
- Shipbuilders and repairers
- Crane operators and cargo handlers
- Terminal and port employees
Benefits may include medical treatment, disability payments, vocational rehabilitation, and death benefits for families.
What to Do After a Maritime Injury in Houston
Taking the right steps after a maritime accident can greatly affect the outcome of your claim. Here’s what you should do:
- Seek immediate medical attention. Even if the injury seems minor, a doctor’s report will be critical for your case.
- Report the incident to your supervisor or employer as soon as possible.
- Document everything — injuries, conditions, photos, witness statements.
- Avoid signing anything from your employer or their insurance company without legal advice.
- Contact a Houston maritime attorney to evaluate your legal options and protect your rights.
How a Houston Maritime Lawyer Can Help You
A dedicated maritime injury attorney in Houston can provide the legal guidance and representation you need to get the maximum compensation you deserve. Here’s how:
- Investigate the cause of your accident
- Determine your eligibility under the Jones Act or LHWCA
- Handle all negotiations with employers and insurance companies
- Represent you in court if a fair settlement is not reached
- Fight for compensation for medical costs, lost wages, future income, pain and suffering, and more
You don’t have to face this alone. A top Houston maritime law firm will stand by you from the moment you call to the final resolution of your case.
Why Choose Our Houston Maritime Law Firm?
- Over 20 years of maritime legal experience
- Deep understanding of offshore and oil rig accident law
- Millions recovered for injured maritime workers
- No fee unless we win your case
- Free, confidential consultations
Our team understands the physical, emotional, and financial toll of maritime accidents. We fight aggressively to hold negligent employers and shipowners accountable so you can focus on healing.
Schedule Your Free Consultation with a Houston Maritime Attorney
If you’ve been injured at sea, don’t delay. Maritime law is full of strict deadlines, and the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to gather evidence and build a solid case.
Contact our Houston maritime attorneys today to schedule your free consultation. We’ll listen to your story, explain your rights, and help you chart the best course forward.
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