Were you injured in a maritime accident near Cypress, TX? If so, call Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers at (281) 843-9777 for a free consultation. Working with our experienced Cypress maritime accident lawyers can improve your chances of recovering fair compensation.
Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers is a leader in maritime accident and workplace injury litigation. Fighting to protect the rights of injured Texans, our award-winning trial attorneys have successfully obtained tens of millions of dollars in life-changing benefits, settlement agreements, and jury awards.
Now, we can help you navigate an intimidating maritime injury claim and demand that you’re fully compensated for your injuries, too.
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Why Choose Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers to Help Me After a Maritime Accident Near Cypress, TX?
Maritime injury cases are inherently complicated because they involve aspects of state and federal law. There can be many different parties involved, and none of them will have your best interests at heart. This is why maritime workers and families turn to Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers for help with these types of legal disputes.
Our Cypress personal injury lawyers have received the following awards and recognitions:
- Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
- Voted Best of the Best by the Houston Chronicle
- The Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Avvo’s Clients’ Choice Award
- Super Lawyers
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
We have over 1,500 five-star reviews on Google, highlighting our exceptional legal services and the impact experience they’ve had working with our personal injury law firm.
Our Cypress maritime injury attorneys know you’re facing a challenging road to recovery. Now’s the time to take action. Don’t hesitate to contact our legal team in Cypress, Texas, to schedule your free consultation.
Understanding Your Rights Under Federal Maritime Law
Maritime jobs are inherently dangerous. In fact, the fatality rate for the water transportation industry is 4.7 times higher than the rate for all U.S. workers. Given the dangers of these jobs, federal law has established several ways to protect maritime workers who are injured or become ill on the job.
There are various maritime laws in place to protect different types of maritime workers. The laws that might apply to you and help you recover compensation for your maritime injuries will depend on what you do and how you got hurt.
The Jones Act
The Jones Act protects workers who can be classified as “seamen” when they suffer work-related injuries while contributing to a vessel in navigation on navigable waters.
A seaman is defined as a worker who contributes to the overall mission and/or operation of a vessel in navigation and spends at least 30 percent of their time on board that vessel. This often applies to deckhands, sailors, divers, mechanics, engineers, crew, captains, cooks, and pilots.
Under the Jones Act, qualifying maritime workers can:
- Receive maintenance and cure benefits to offset medical bills and daily living expenses, and/or
- Sue their employer for negligence or injuries related to an unseaworthy vessel.
Filing a maritime accident lawsuit against an employer provides an opportunity to recover more extensive damages, including non-economic awards for pain and suffering.
Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)
Workers who don’t qualify under the Jones Act are often protected under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.
The LHWCA is a federal workers’ compensation insurance system for maritime workers, including:
- Longshore workers
- Pier workers
- Dock workers
- Ship loaders
- Harbor construction workers
- Shipbuilders
- Ship repairers
Oil rig workers can also qualify for benefits in many situations, thanks to an extension granted through the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA).
LHWCA benefits can include money for:
- Reasonable medical expenses
- Lost wages for temporary disability
- Permanent disability
- Vocational rehabilitation
Families who suffer the wrongful death of a qualifying family member in a fatal maritime accident can potentially receive death benefits under the Act, as well.
Can I File a Maritime Accident Lawsuit Under Texas State Law?
It’s possible. As a Texas worker, you’re also protected by Texas state law. You could bring a personal injury lawsuit against someone who contributed to your offshore accident in some way.
For instance, you could file a product liability lawsuit against a company that manufactured a defective piece of machinery that caused you to get hurt in your line of work as a maritime laborer.
Alternatively, you could sue another party for negligence or an intentional tort, like assault, if they bear responsibility for your maritime accident.
How Much Is My Cypress Maritime Accident Case Worth?
In theory, the more your life changes, the more your maritime accident case could be worth. However, many factors must be considered when determining the value of your claim, including:
- Do you qualify for workers’ compensation benefits under the LHWCA?
- Do you qualify for benefits under the Jones Act?
- Can you pursue additional damages through a civil maritime accident lawsuit?
- What types of injuries have you suffered?
- How has your ability to work or earn a living changed?
- Do you share responsibility for your maritime accident or injuries?
LHWCA wage-replacement benefits are subject to statutory maximum and minimum weekly rates. Maintenance and cure under maritime law is generally limited to reasonable expenses and typically continues until the patient has reached maximum medical improvement. Thus, it can be important to consider other avenues for seeking compensation in order to recover money for the full extent of your damages.
What if I’m Partly to Blame For My Maritime Accident?
Comparative negligence rules can impact both Texas civil lawsuits and Jones Act lawsuits. The more responsibility you bear for a maritime accident, the less compensation you can get. Under the Jones Act, comparative negligence can reduce your compensation, but it does not bar recovery. By contrast, Texas state law generally bars recovery if you are found more than 50% responsible.
Speak with an attorney if you’re being blamed or share responsibility for a maritime accident in which you’ve been injured. Unless you’re seeking workers’ compensation benefits, shared fault can limit your ability to recover damages from a negligent or otherwise liable party.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Maritime Accident Attorney in Cypress?
Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers represents maritime workers on a contingency fee basis. You’ll pay absolutely nothing to our personal injury law firm until we’ve won compensation for you.
When we win, our attorney fees aren’t paid out of your pocket. Instead, they’re deducted from the compensation we obtain on your behalf. Typically, you can expect attorney fees to range between 25 percent and 40 percent of your recovery, depending on the type of claim(s) you file and specific aspects of your case.
Common Types of Maritime Accident Injuries
Maritime accidents can cause a number of injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Burn injuries
- Chest injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Nerve damage
- Eye injuries
- Amputation injuries
- Degloving injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
It’s imperative that you report your maritime accident to your supervisor and seek prompt medical treatment. The sooner you take these steps, the more likely it is that you’ll mitigate your injuries and increase the odds of recovering substantial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and, in some cases, other damages.
We Handle a Wide Range of Maritime Accidents
At Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers, we proudly advocate for maritime workers who’ve been injured and families who’ve suffered the tragic deaths of loved ones in all types of maritime accidents in Texas, including:
- Barge accidents
- Oil rig accidents
- Diving accidents
- Commercial fishing accidents
- Toxic exposure accidents
- Fires and explosions
- Cruise ship accidents
- Shipbuilding accidents
- Dock accidents
- Tugboat accidents
If you or someone you love has been injured while working at the Port of Houston, off the coast of Texas, or elsewhere on navigable waters, don’t hesitate to contact our maritime accident attorneys in Cypress for help.
How Long Do I Have to File a Maritime Accident Lawsuit in Texas?
Different laws are subject to different statutes of limitations. So, the types of claims you file will dictate how long you’ll have to take action.
Typically, the deadlines are as follows:
- The Jones Act: three years
- LHWCA Claims: one year (as long as the 30-day reporting requirement has been satisfied)
- Texas law: two years
You have to file your maritime accident claim before the applicable statute of limitations expires. Once time runs out, you will most likely lose the ability to seek benefits or damages for your injuries.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Cypress Maritime Accident Lawyer
Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers is here to support you after your maritime accident off the coast of Texas. You deserve compensation, and our Cypress maritime accident attorneys can offer the level of experience you’ll need to win your case and secure a meaningful financial award. With tens of millions of dollars recovered, we have a proven track record of success.
Reach out to our law office today to arrange a complimentary consultation.
