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Houston Maritime Accident Lawyers

Texas is home to a vast maritime industry. Port Houston and the Houston Ship Channel employ millions of workers. Unfortunately, working on a vessel, in a shipyard, or the open sea can be dangerous. Maritime accidents cause catastrophic injuries that change a person’s life forever.

Maritime injury claims are not handled under Texas workers’ compensation law. They fall under federal maritime and admiralty law, and the deadlines are shorter than most injured workers expect. If you are injured in a maritime accident, contact The Alfred Firm today by calling 713-489-1875 for a free consultation with an experienced Houston maritime injury lawyer.

What is a Houston Maritime Injury?

A maritime injury involves any injury incurred while working near or on navigable bodies of water, including oceans, lakes, rivers, and seas. Texas has a great deal of industry centered around navigable bodies of water, such as working on cargo ships, docks, oil platforms, sea terminals, sea-faring vessels, and river boats.

Types of maritime injury claims our Houston maritime lawyers handle include, but are not limited to:

  • Oil Rig Accidents
  • Barge Accidents
  • Drillship Accidents
  • Offshore Accidents
  • Cruise Ship Accidents
  • Oil Tanker Ship Accidents
  • Shrimp Boat Accidents
  • Riverboat Accidents
  • Tugboat Accidents
  • Commercial Fishing Accidents
  • Cargo Ship Accidents
  • Shipyard Accidents

There are thousands of companies that operate along and in the Gulf of Mexico, the Texas shoreline, or along the many rivers that flow through Texas. Unfortunately, working in any maritime industry places you at a high risk of injury or death because of the danger associated with these jobs.

If your injury happened at a refinery, plant, or construction site on land rather than on or beside the water, maritime law likely does not apply to your claim. See our Houston work injury lawyer, refinery accident, and construction accident pages instead.

Fighting for Injured Maritime Workers Throughout Texas

Our Houston maritime accident lawyers represent a variety of maritime workers injured on the job, including oil workers, seamen, and dock workers. We also represent other individuals who work within the industry, including engineers, platform workers, welders, crew members, harbor workers, ship repairers, and all other individuals injured aboard vessels at sea or other bodies of water.

Seeking compensation for maritime injuries is not like other workers’ compensation claims or personal injury cases. Maritime injuries involve complicated federal laws and state regulations that govern accidents aboard ships, boats, and platforms.

The Houston maritime accident lawyers of The Alfred Firm have significant experience handling cases involving maritime injuries. Our Houston maritime injury lawyers have extensive knowledge of the laws that govern these types of injury claims, including:

If you were injured in a maritime accident, we can help. Call our office now to speak with a maritime injury attorney in Houston. You will need a lawyer with experience handling maritime laws to help you recover the compensation you deserve after being injured at a port, working on a vessel, or working on an oil platform.

Which Maritime Law Covers Your Injury?

Which statute applies to you depends on your job and where you were working, and it changes what you can recover and how long you have to act. This is the first thing we determine in a maritime case.

The Jones Act, for seamen and crew members

If you spend a substantial portion of your work aboard a vessel in navigation, you are likely a seaman. The Jones Act lets you sue your employer directly for negligence, which is broader than a benefits claim. You may also be entitled to maintenance and cure, meaning your employer covers medical treatment and basic living expenses while you recover, regardless of who was at fault, and you may have a separate claim if the vessel itself was unseaworthy.

Under 46 U.S.C. Section 30106, a maritime personal injury action generally must be brought within three years of the date the claim arose. Shorter deadlines can apply, including when a government entity is involved.

The LHWCA, for longshore, dock, and shipyard workers

If you load, unload, build, or repair vessels but are not a crew member, you likely fall under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act instead. The deadlines here are much tighter: you generally must give your employer notice within 30 days of the injury and file a written claim with the Department of Labor within one year. \ue202turn0search0

Employers and their insurers sometimes classify an injured worker under whichever statute pays less. If you have been told which law applies to you, it is worth a second opinion before you accept it. Call 713-489-1875 and we will review it at no cost.

What Damages Are Available for Maritime Accidents?

After a serious maritime accident, a seaman or other individual may be entitled to compensation for a variety of damages and losses. Many workers injured in maritime accidents face lifelong consequences and complications because of their work related injury.

Our Houston maritime accident lawyers help injured victims recover compensation for past and future damages including, but not limited to:

  • Hospitalizations and Surgeries
  • Cost of Physicians, Therapists, and Other Health Care Providers
  • Personal Care and Aid
  • Long-Term Rehabilitation and Therapy
  • Counseling and Mental Health Services
  • Loss of Income and Benefits
  • Reduction in Earning Capacity
  • In-Home Health Care
  • Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Emotional and Mental Distress
  • Physical Pain and Suffering
  • Disabilities and Permanent Impairments
  • Scarring and Disfigurement

Our attorneys work with medical experts and financial professionals to ensure that we maximize the value of all damages sustained in a maritime accident. Where a maritime worker was killed, surviving family members may bring a wrongful death claim, and different rules apply depending on how far offshore the death occurred.

Understanding the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act

The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, often shortened to the LHWCA or the Longshore Act, is a critical piece of federal legislation designed to protect maritime workers who are injured while performing duties on navigable waters of the United States or in adjoining areas such as docks and terminals.

This act provides compensation and medical care to harbor workers, longshoremen, and other maritime employees who sustain offshore injuries or develop occupational diseases due to their job.

Under this act, injured maritime workers are entitled to receive benefits that cover medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and a portion of lost wages. It ensures that maritime employers are held accountable for maintaining safe working conditions and provides a legal framework for injured workers to seek the compensation they deserve under maritime and admiralty laws.

Unlike a Jones Act case, an LHWCA claim is a benefits proceeding rather than a lawsuit against your employer, and it is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Division of Federal Employees’, Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation. You can review the program’s official frequently asked questions for how notice, claims, and benefits work. In some cases an LHWCA claim can be pursued alongside a separate third-party lawsuit against a vessel owner or another company whose negligence contributed to the injury.

Houston maritime attorneys often rely on this act to advocate for their clients, ensuring that the rights of injured maritime industry workers are protected and that they receive fair compensation for their injuries. Contact an experienced maritime lawyer in Houston today.

Common Injuries Caused by Maritime Accidents

The injuries sustained in maritime accidents can be catastrophic and life-threatening. The machinery used on platforms, docks, and shipyards can be dangerous. The conditions in which individuals work can also be hazardous and dangerous.

Common injuries that occur on offshore rigs, in shipyards, or on vessels include but are not limited to:

Regardless of the severity of your injury, immediate medical care is crucial. You need to document your injuries to support maritime injury claims. Delays in medical treatment can hurt your case, as well as jeopardize your health.

Why Do You Need a Houston Maritime Accident Attorney?

To protect your legal rights and to recover the compensation you are entitled to receive for your injuries and damages.

Maritime law is complicated. If you intend to fight for fair compensation for your injuries and damages, you will be going up against a team of defense attorneys and insurance representatives that understand these laws. They have unlimited resources to fight your maritime injury claims.

Therefore, you need to even the playing field. You need a skilled Houston maritime attorney on your side who has extensive experience handling these types of maritime injury cases. Houston maritime injury lawyers also have resources, skills, and a thorough understanding of all maritime laws applicable in your case.

The insurance company and your employer have one common goal, which is to avoid liability for your damages. They want to pay as little as possible to settle your maritime injury claims. You cannot rely on your employer to stand up for you when you are injured. Even an ethical employer may not have control over the outcome of your case.

Insurance adjusters and attorneys handle your maritime injury cases. They are not looking out for your best interests.

For all the above reasons, you need an experienced maritime attorney that regularly handles maritime accident claims to protect you. The Alfred Firm is the law firm for you. When we accept a case, we begin by:

  • Investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident and your injury;
  • Identify the various laws applicable to your case;
  • Calculating the deadline for filing various claims and actions;
  • Searching for instances of negligence and gross negligence;
  • Investigating claims of a failure to abide by industry regulations or government requirements;
  • Searching for problems with equipment, including defective equipment;
  • Verifying that safety procedures were in place and being followed;
  • Investigating training and supervision policies; and,
  • Investigating claims of failing to provide a safe work environment.

Our Houston maritime accident lawyers investigate the accident from every possible angle to identify all instances of wrongdoing and negligence. We identify the responsible parties and insurance coverage to maximize the chance of maximizing compensation.

Meet the attorneys who would handle your case: Byron Alfred, Curtis Bickers, and Rachel Beard. You can also read what our clients say about working with us.

Contact Our Houston Maritime Accident Lawyers for a Free Case Review

Handling a maritime injury claim alone can be overwhelming. There is no need for you to try to do this on your own. Our law firm accepts maritime accident cases on a contingency fee. You do not pay our attorneys’ fees unless we recover money for your maritime injury claim.

At The Alfred Firm, we have seen how injured offshore workers are treated. We know that injured maritime workers are often treated unfairly by insurance companies and their employers. We are passionate about seeking justice for our clients.

Our clients have been injured, sustained significant financial loss, and endured unimaginable pain and suffering. We use our considerable experience to protect our clients’ best interests. Let us help you too.

Don’t Wait, Call Our Houston Maritime Lawyers Now

If you or a loved one has been injured in a maritime accident, it is crucial to act quickly. Call 713-489-1875 now to schedule your free consultation with an experienced maritime accident lawyer in Houston. Time is of the essence because the window to file a maritime injury claim is limited by strict deadlines under federal maritime law: generally three years for a Jones Act claim, but as little as 30 days to give notice under the Longshore Act.

Evidence moves faster than either deadline. Vessel logs, maintenance records, and crew statements are in your employer’s control from the moment the accident happens, and crews rotate off and scatter quickly.

Our skilled Houston maritime personal injury lawyers are here to guide you through the complex legal process and help you pursue the full financial compensation you deserve. We understand the unique challenges faced by injured maritime workers, and we are dedicated to protecting your rights every step of the way.

In addition to our Houston maritime injury attorneys, we also represent offshore workers injured on offshore platforms, oil rigs, and vessels operating in navigable waters. Whether your injury occurred onshore or offshore, our legal team has the knowledge and resources to build a strong case on your behalf. We also serve injured workers in Beaumont and Port Arthur.

Do not wait. Contact our Houston maritime lawyers today to ensure your claim is filed on time and to maximize your chances of a successful financial recovery after a maritime accident.

Frequently Asked Questions About Houston Maritime Injuries

What is the difference between a Jones Act claim and an LHWCA claim?

The main difference is who you can sue and what you can recover. Under the Jones Act, a seaman can sue their employer directly for negligence and recover full damages for pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical costs. An LHWCA claim is a benefits proceeding through the Department of Labor where you cannot sue your employer but receive guaranteed benefits for medical care and partial wage replacement. The Jones Act has a three-year statute of limitations, while LHWCA requires notice within 30 days and a claim filed within one year. Your job title and where you were working determine which law applies.

How do I know if I am classified as a “seaman” under the Jones Act?

You are likely a seaman if you spend a substantial portion of your work time aboard a vessel in navigation. This includes crew members, deckhands, engineers, and others whose duties require them to be on the vessel regularly. The key question is whether your job fundamentally relates to the vessel’s operation or mission. If your work is primarily on docks, in shipyards, or on stationary platforms, you are more likely covered under the LHWCA instead. If you have been classified under a particular statute, contact us at 713-489-1875 for a free second opinion before accepting that classification.

What is “maintenance and cure” in maritime law?

Maintenance and cure is a unique benefit available to seamen under maritime law. Your employer is required to pay for your medical treatment and provide daily living expenses (maintenance) while you recover from a work-related injury, regardless of who was at fault. Maintenance typically covers food and lodging, while cure covers all necessary medical care. This benefit continues as long as you are still recovering, even if you cannot work. It is separate from your Jones Act negligence claim and provides immediate support after an injury.

Can I pursue both a Jones Act claim and a third-party lawsuit?

Yes. A Jones Act claim is against your employer, but you may also have a separate lawsuit against third parties whose negligence contributed to your injury, such as a vessel owner, equipment manufacturer, or another company operating at the scene. Similarly, an LHWCA claimant can often pursue a third-party negligence claim in addition to their benefits. These claims can be pursued together, and recovering from a third party does not necessarily reduce your Jones Act or LHWCA benefits. An experienced maritime attorney can identify all responsible parties and maximize your recovery.

What is “unseaworthiness” and how does it affect my claim?

Unseaworthiness means the vessel itself is not reasonably safe for its intended use. This can include defective equipment, improper maintenance, inadequate safety procedures, or failure to provide necessary equipment or safety gear. A seaman can sue for unseaworthiness without proving negligence, which is a significant advantage. If the vessel was unseaworthy and that condition caused or contributed to your injury, you may have a claim even if no one acted negligently. Unseaworthiness claims often involve detailed inspection of the vessel and its maintenance records.

How much time do I have to file a maritime injury claim?

The deadline depends on which law applies. Jones Act claims must be filed within three years of the date the injury occurred. However, shorter deadlines can apply if a government entity was involved. LHWCA claims have much tighter deadlines: you must notify your employer within 30 days of the injury and file a written claim with the Department of Labor within one year. Missing these deadlines can eliminate your ability to recover. Do not wait. Call us immediately at 713-489-1875 if you have been injured.

What if my employer claims I was not following safety procedures at the time of the injury?

In Texas, comparative negligence rules mean that even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover damages, though your recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, maritime law is more favorable to injured workers than Texas personal injury law. Employers often use safety violations as a defense, but our attorneys investigate whether proper training was provided, whether the procedure was reasonably followed by other workers, and whether the procedure itself was adequate. We defend against these claims aggressively.

What if the injury occurred offshore in international waters?

If you were injured more than three nautical miles from shore, the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) may apply, which has different rules and damage limitations than Jones Act claims. If you were injured on the Outer Continental Shelf (oil platforms), the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) may apply. These laws involve complex jurisdictional questions. The location of your injury, the flag of your vessel, and your employment status all matter. Contact us immediately to determine which laws apply to your specific situation.

Do I need to hire an attorney to file a maritime injury claim?

While not strictly required, maritime law is highly specialized and complex. Insurance companies and employers have experienced attorneys working against you. The filing deadlines are strict, and missing them eliminates your claim. An experienced maritime attorney investigates evidence while it is still available, identifies all responsible parties, properly classifies your claim under the correct statute, and maximizes your recovery. We handle cases on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we recover money for you.

What damages can I recover in a maritime injury case?

In a Jones Act claim, you can recover past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability and impairment, and other losses caused by the injury. In an LHWCA claim, benefits are more limited but guaranteed and include medical coverage and partial wage replacement. Additionally, if negligence by a third party contributed to your injury, a separate third-party claim may recover full damages. The damages available depend on the statute that applies and the severity of your injury.

What should I do immediately after a maritime accident?

First, seek medical treatment immediately. Your health and safety come first. Second, report the injury to your employer as soon as possible. Third, preserve evidence: take photographs of the accident scene, your injuries, and any hazardous conditions. Obtain the names and contact information of witnesses. Request copies of vessel logs, maintenance records, and safety procedures. Do not sign any documents or statements without legal advice. Finally, contact an experienced maritime attorney right away. Call us at 713-489-1875 for a free consultation before speaking with your employer’s insurance company.

Can my family recover if I was killed in a maritime accident?

Yes. Surviving family members may bring a wrongful death claim. However, the rules depend on where the death occurred. Deaths within three nautical miles of shore may fall under Texas wrongful death law. Deaths on the High Seas fall under the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA), which limits recovery to economic damages and has a two-year statute of limitations. Deaths on the Outer Continental Shelf fall under OCSLA. An experienced maritime attorney will determine which law applies and pursue the maximum recovery available for your family’s loss.

What is the cost of hiring a maritime injury attorney?

The Alfred Firm handles maritime accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing unless we recover money for your claim. Our fee is a percentage of your recovery, and all costs of investigation and litigation are advanced by our firm. You have no financial risk. We are only paid if we successfully resolve your case, which aligns our interests with yours.