Maritime accidents cause severe injuries and deaths. If you or your loved one was injured in a maritime accident off the shores of Texas, our Houston maritime injury lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers can help.
With over 45 years of combined experience, our legal team at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers is equipped to handle complex maritime injury cases. For over 20 years, we have represented injured victims and their families in Texas. Our lawyers have won millions of dollars in settlements and judgments for our clients.
Call our office today to schedule your free consultation at (713) 500-5000. We are here to help you when you need trusted legal advice about maritime laws in Houston, TX.
How Our Houston Maritime Injury Lawyers Help You After a Maritime Accident in the Gulf of Mexico
Offshore workers face tremendous risks because of their jobs. Unfortunately, maritime employers and their insurance providers rarely treat injured workers fairly. You could have significant medical bills, loss of income, and physical injuries because of a maritime accident. You and your family deserve fair compensation for your losses.
Our Houston maritime injury lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers have considerable experience, skills, and resources. We have earned top ratings and awards from national legal organizations, including Avvo, Super Lawyers, and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
When you hire our award-winning maritime injury lawyers in Houston, Texas, you can trust we will:
- Conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of your maritime injury and collect evidence
- Work with the best expert witnesses as necessary
- Identify all sources of compensation for your claim
- Analyze maritime laws to determine which ones apply in your case
- Determine how much your case is worth based on your damages and other factors
- Negotiate fair settlements for your claim
- Go to trial if that is the best way to protect your rights
Maritime laws are complicated. You need an experienced Houston maritime injury lawyer to handle your case. Our attorneys fit that need. Call us to schedule your free consultation today.
For a legal consultation call (713) 500-5000
Overview of Maritime Laws for Texas Maritime Injury Cases
A complex set of maritime laws governs maritime accidents. Different laws have been developed over centuries to protect injured maritime workers. However, these laws are difficult to understand and interpret unless you have experience handling maritime injury cases.
Some of the common maritime laws that apply in maritime injury cases include, but are not limited to:
The Jones Act
The Jones Act refers to the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. The Jones Act is a federal statute that provides compensation for seamen injured on the job. When you prove that your injuries were caused by your employer’s negligence, you can recover damages that go beyond the typical workers’ compensation benefits. Unlike regular workers’ comp, seamen can sue their employers for damages based on a ship’s unseaworthiness.
The Jones Act provides for economic damages, including out-of-pocket expenses, lost wages, and medical bills. You can also recover non-economic damages for your pain and suffering. If your employer’s negligence did not cause your offshore injuries, you could receive benefits for maintenance and cure if your injury occurred while on the job.
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) protects maritime workers who do not qualify as a seaman under the Jones Act. This maritime law applies to employees who do not meet the definition of seaman but work on docks, piers, shipping areas, wharves, and navigable waters in the United States.
Unlike the Jones Act, the LHWCA is more like the state version of workers’ compensation. The benefits are typically limited to medical treatment, loss of earning benefits, permanent disability, and transportation costs. If you cannot return to work because of your maritime injury, you may receive vocational rehabilitation benefits to train you in another job.
The Death on the High Seas Act
The Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) is similar to state wrongful death laws. DOHSA gives family members the right to sue for wrongful or negligent acts that resulted in the death of their family member. The death must have occurred on the high seas more than three nautical miles from the United States shore.
The deceased worker’s personal representative files a DOHSA lawsuit on behalf of the surviving family members. The estate may receive compensation for funeral expenses and loss of financial support. Even if your loved one died on land after being injured at sea, you may still have a DOHSA claim.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Houston Maritime Injury Lawyers
Learn more about how we can help you with a maritime accident case. Call Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers for a free case review with a Houston maritime injury attorney.
Call or Text (713) 500-5000 or Complete a Case Evaluation Form