Texas Hill Country Maritime Accident Lawyer
Texas has one of the largest maritime industries in the nation. If you live in Texas’ Hill Country and work in support of a maritime operation, it’s important to call Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers and explore your legal rights when you get hurt on the job. Maritime workers are offered protection under state and federal law. This can include the ability to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other injury-related damages. Our experienced Texas Hill Country maritime accident lawyers can help you fight for every cent you deserve.
Injured maritime workers across the state of Texas trust Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers because we’re trustworthy, effective litigators with a proven track record of success. Led by a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney and a team with over 45 years of combined experience, we’ve helped clients win tens of millions of dollars in compensation.
Don’t settle for less than you deserve after a maritime accident near Texas Hill Country, Texas. Trust our award-winning legal team to fight for you. Contact our law office in the Texas Hill Country to get started with a free consultation now at 737-252-8168.
Table of Contents
How Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers Helps Victims of Maritime Accidents in Texas Hill Country
Maritime trades are notoriously dangerous. In fact, the fatality rate for maritime workers is six times higher than the national average. State and federal laws are in place to ensure that compensation is available when a maritime worker suffers injuries on the job.
However, knowing which maritime laws protect you and how to recover compensation can be a challenge. Even when you know your rights, the process of getting benefits can be stressful, time-consuming, and unsuccessful. That’s why it’s important to hire an experienced Texas Hill Country personal injury attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Choosing Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers means working with award-winning Texas trial attorneys who will take a personal interest in your story and your future. We’re recognized as top litigators in Texas by The National Trial Lawyers, Expertise.com, Avvo.com, and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
We’re here to handle all aspects of your maritime injury claim so that you have time to focus on your recovery:
- Investigate your maritime accident to fully understand what happened and why
- Identify which state and/or federal maritime laws might apply to your specific situation
- Gather evidence and documentation needed to support your legal claim
- File your claim with the insurance company and/or local court clerk in Texas Hill Country
- Enlist expert witnesses to collaborate with our team throughout the claims process
- Force meaningful settlement negotiations with the insurance company and/or defense
- Represent you at all stages of your claim, which could include court hearings, a trial, and/or an appeal if your claim for benefits is denied by an insurance company or government agency
Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers represents injured maritime workers in Texas on contingency. You’ll pay nothing to hire our personal injury law firm unless we win compensation for you.
Don’t hesitate to contact our law office in Texas Hill Country, TX, to discuss the details of your case and discover how we can help you make the most of your fight for compensation. Your initial case evaluation is free.
Representing Clients in All Types of Maritime Accident Cases
Maritime accidents include accidents in connection with the operation of a navigable vessel at sea. The accident can, but doesn’t necessarily have to, occur on board the vessel. Accidents on ports, docks, shipyards, and fixed structures can also qualify as maritime accidents.
When you’re injured in a maritime accident off the coast of Texas, it’ll be important to enlist the help of an attorney with hands-on experience handling offshore accident and injury cases like yours.
At Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers, we have an in-depth working knowledge of federal maritime law and a proven history of helping clients navigate complex maritime injury claims involving:
- Tugboat accidents
- Offshore oil rig accidents
- Barge accidents
- Cargo ship accidents
- Shipyard accidents
- Commercial fishing accidents
- Crude oil tanker accidents
- Freight ship accidents
- Drillship accidents
- Container shipping accidents
- Crane accidents
- Cruise ship accidents
- Shrimp boat accidents
- Jack-up-rig accidents
As the victim of a maritime accident near Texas Hill Country, don’t hesitate to contact our law firm for help right away. We’re here to invest our considerable experience, resources, and knowledge into your case to make it as successful as possible.
Common Maritime Accident Injuries
Maritime workers are at an increased risk of suffering serious physical injuries at work, including:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Soft tissue injury
- Nerve damage
- Burn injury
- Crush injury
- Chest injury
- Concussion injury
- Traumatic brain injury
- Neck injury
- Back injury
- Neck injury
- Quadriplegia injury
- Amputation injury
- Degloving injury
- Hypothermia injury
- Infections caused by cuts, lacerations, and puncture wounds
- Catastrophic injury
- Wrongful death
Once you’ve been hurt on the job, report your injury to your supervisor and seek prompt medical care at the closest on-shore hospital. Once your condition is stable, contact our maritime accident attorneys in the Texas Hill Country to discuss your situation, learn about your legal options, and strategize the best way to move forward.
How Do I Recover Compensation If I’m Injured in a Maritime Accident Off the Coast of Texas?
As the victim of a maritime accident off the coast of Texas, you may be protected by one or more federal maritime laws. You may also have the right to seek compensation under Texas state law, depending on the circumstances of your accident.
The Jones Act
The Jones Act, which is also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, is a federal maritime law that protects certain maritime workers who suffer injuries on navigable vessels in waters off the coast of Texas.
Specifically, the Jones Act protects seamen. A seaman is any worker who spends at least 30 percent of their time working onboard a navigable vessel in operation at sea. The rest of the worker’s time must be spent supporting the vessel’s operations in some way.
Essentially, you must work on and in support of a boat or ship that’s afloat and capable of moving through navigable water, which can include oceans, rivers, and lakes.
If you qualify as a seaman under the Jones Act, you can qualify to receive maintenance and cure benefits if you are injured in the course of your employment.
- Maintenance benefits cover your day-to-day expenses during your recovery
- Cure benefits pay for necessary and reasonable costs of medical treatment
You may also have the right to sue your employer under the Jones Act if you were injured because your employer was negligent or the vessel you worked on was unseaworthy. A civil lawsuit gives you the opportunity to seek economic damages for financial losses and non-economic damages for harder-to-value losses like pain and suffering.
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) is essentially a workers’ compensation program for maritime workers.
Unlike the Jones Act, the LHWCA provides benefits to most maritime workers, not just those on board or working in support of vessels in navigation. This can include dock workers, longshoremen, harbor construction workers, shipbuilders, and marine engineers.
The LHWCA allows maritime workers to file a claim for no-fault benefits for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Travel expenses
- Rehabilitation
Death benefits can also be paid to a surviving family member if a maritime accident near the Texas Hill Country is fatal.
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act
The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) extends benefits available under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act to oil rig workers and other workers on fixed structures in the Gulf of Mexico.
Texas Personal Injury Laws
As a worker in the state of Texas, you may also reserve the right to file a lawsuit against someone who directly or indirectly contributed to your maritime accident, such as an equipment manufacturer, employer, or a negligent third party.
What is the Statute of Limitations on Maritime Injury Claims in Texas?
The filing deadline varies depending on the type of maritime injury claim you file.
- The Jones Act: three years
- Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act: one year
- Texas personal injury lawsuit: two years
You must file your personal injury claim before the applicable statute of limitations runs out. Once time expires, you lose the right to seek monetary benefits and/or damages for your physical injuries, costs, and suffering.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Texas Hill Country Maritime Accident Lawyer
You don’t have to struggle with the aftermath of a maritime accident near Texas Hill Country on your own. Call Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers, and discover how our Texas Hill Country maritime accident lawyers can help you take action in pursuit of a life-changing monetary award.
Choosing Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers puts a team with 45+ years of combined experience and a multi-million dollar track record in your corner. We offer a complimentary case evaluation, so reach out to our team in the Texas Hill Country for help today.
