Corpus Christi Jones Act Lawyer
Were you or a loved one injured in a maritime accident off the coast of Corpus Christi, TX? You may be entitled to substantial compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and more. An experienced Corpus Christi Jones Act lawyer at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers can help fight to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Our lawyers have over 45 years of combined experience handling complex injury claims like yours. We’ve already recovered millions of dollars to help our injured clients over the years–and we’re ready to put that experience to work for you.
It’s never too early to learn about your legal rights. Contact our law firm in Corpus Christi, Texas, at (713) 224-4878 to schedule a free consultation today.
Table of Contents
How Attorney Brian White & Associates, P.C. Can Help With a Jones Act Claim in Corpus Christi, TX
It can be tough to recover the fair compensation you need if you were injured at work, especially if you work in the maritime industry. You know that you’re entitled to benefits–but you could face an uphill battle when it comes time to prove it.
Our experienced Corpus Christi personal injury lawyers at Attorney Brian White & Associates, P.C. are here to make things easier.
Our founding attorney is a board-certified trial lawyer in Texas. That’s a designation that only about 3% of all attorneys have earned. Our achievements also include a perfect-10 Avvo rating from satisfied clients and membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
When you turn to us for help, our lawyers will:
- Investigate to establish liability and prove causation
- Identify your damages and assess the value of your case
- Hire leading experts in medicine, vocational therapy, and other specialties
- Handle all paperwork required to file a Jones Act claim
- Negotiate with the insurance companies to recover a fair settlement
Our lawyers have been recognized time and time again by our satisfied clients. Call our Corpus Christi personal injury attorneys for a free consultation today to learn more about how we can help with your claim.
Overview of The Jones Act
The Jones Act is a type of workers’ compensation law that provides compensation to injured maritime workers and their families. It’s also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920.
Offshore workers typically aren’t entitled to file a claim for traditional workers’ compensation benefits in Texas. Instead, injured maritime workers and seamen seek compensation under The Jones Act.
Compensation under The Jones Act covers injuries sustained while working on any type of operational offshore vessel. Injured seamen and sailors may also be entitled to benefits if they’re hurt while the vessel is at port, as long as it isn’t drydocked at the time.
You may be entitled to benefits under The Jones Act if you were injured while working aboard:
- Offshore oil rigs
- Shrimp boats and fishing vessels in navigation
- Jack-ups
- Drillships
- Floating cranes
- Construction barges and boats
- Tugs and towboats
- Cargo ships
- Dredging vessels
- Chemical ships
- Research vessels
The Jones Act applies to workers hurt aboard offshore vessels and those operating on inland rivers and waterways in Texas.
What is My Corpus Christi Jones Act Claim Worth?
The amount of compensation you can recover under The Jones Act depends on many unique factors.
The most relevant factors include:
- The severity of your injuries
- The duration of your recovery
- Whether the maritime injury will impact your ability to return to work in the future
- Damage to your quality of life
- Your pain and suffering
It can be difficult to anticipate your potential future needs. It’s also difficult to put a dollar value on your pain and suffering. Our lawyers have decades of experience handling cases like yours–so we know how to help. Just give us a quick call to learn more about our practice today.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Maritime Accident Victims Under The Jones Act?
Several different types of damages are available to maritime workers who are injured because of their employer’s negligence.
Damages under The Jones Act are called damages for “maintenance and cure.” Maintenance and cure benefits cover the cost of your medical treatment and other basic living expenses. You’re entitled to receive maintenance and cure benefits until you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) or return to work.
Examples of the types of expenses covered by maintenance and cure include:
- Medical bills, including emergency room care, hospitalization, and doctor’s visits
- Prescription medications
- Medical devices
- Physical therapy
- Nursing care
- Vocational rehabilitation and occupational therapies
- Mental health treatment
- Specialized counseling
- Basic daily living expenses while you recover onshore
You may also be entitled to recover damages for your non-economic damages. These “pain and suffering” damages are much more extensive than those available under Texas workers’ compensation laws.
You may be entitled to compensation for:
- Emotional distress and mental trauma
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
- Diminished quality of life
- Depression or anxiety
- PTSD
- Diminished future earning capacity
- Loss of consortium
It’s important to work with an experienced lawyer who can assess the damages you’ve suffered. To learn more about types of damages available, call our law offices for a free consultation.
We Will Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Maritime Accident Injuries
Our Corpus Christi maritime accident lawyers often represent victims who have suffered:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Eye injuries
- Broken bones
- Back injuries
- Nerve damage
- Herniated discs
- Strains, sprains, and other soft tissue damage
- Concussions
- Other head and neck injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Chest injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Burns
- Amputation injuries
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
Serious maritime accidents also have the potential to be fatal. If you’ve lost a loved one in a work accident, our lawyers can help you fight to recover fair compensation for wrongful death.
What Causes Most Maritime Accidents in Corpus Christi, Texas?
Maritime employers are required to provide a reasonably safe work environment for sailors and seamen. Unfortunately, maritime accidents are common.
Some of the most common causes of maritime accidents in Corpus Christi include:
- Unseaworthy vessels
- Failure to provide proper safety equipment
- Defective work equipment and tools
- Negligent hiring practices
- Failure to properly train and supervise workers
- Failure to adhere to safety standards
- Negligent security and violence on board the vessel
- Failure to maintain the vessel
- Communication errors
- Slip and fall accidents
- Dangerous working conditions
Were you or a family member injured while working in the maritime industry? Call our lawyers in Corpus Christi today. We offer a free case review, so you can learn more about your legal options without financial risk.
How Do I Establish Liability Under The Jones Act in Corpus Christi?
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system in Texas. Jones Act claims are different. To recover damages, you’ll have to prove that someone’s negligence was at least partly responsible for your injuries.
Examples of responsible parties may include:
- Your employer
- Co-workers
- The vessel’s captain
- The owner of the vessel
Proving negligence can be complex. Our Corpus Christi Jones Act attorneys will conduct a full investigation to find out who was responsible for your accident.
Any successful negligence claim requires proving four basic elements, including:
- The at-fault party owed you a legal duty of care
- A breach of duty
- The breach was the direct and proximate cause of your accident and injuries
- You sustained damages
Not all injured workers are entitled to Jones Act benefits. You’ll have to prove that you qualify as a “seaman” to recover damages under The Jones Act.
You’re properly classified as a seaman if you can prove:
- You work aboard a United States vessel or boat that’s in navigation (not drydocked)
- At least 30% of your time is connected to the vessel
- Your work contributes to a significant purpose of the vessel
Gathering the proof you need to file a claim under The Jones Act can be difficult if you’re seriously injured. Our lawyers can help. Call our maritime accident lawyers at Attorney Brian White & Associates, P.C. to schedule your free case evaluation today.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Maritime Accident in Texas?
In most cases involving maritime law, you must take legal action within three years after the accident. Different time limits apply if you can file a claim under the Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. If you wait too long, you forfeit your right to benefits.
Contact Attorney Brian White & Associates, P.C. for a Free Consultation With a Corpus Christi Jones Act Lawyer
Getting hurt on the job can complicate your life in many different ways. You shouldn’t have to worry about money while you recover. An experienced Corpus Christi Jones Act lawyer at Attorney Brian White & Associates, P.C. can handle every aspect of your case. All you have to do is call for a free initial consultation today.
