Texas Maritime Injury Lawyers

Have You Been Seriously Injured in a Maritime or Offshore Work Accident?

Work offshore can be dangerous, and the maritime industry is no exception. Injuries can happen at any time, causing lost wages and even life-long disabilities. If you’ve been injured while performing maritime work, it’s vital to hire a Texas maritime accident injury lawyer who understands the complexities of maritime law and can protect your rights.

Maritime law is complex and falls under different jurisdictions. There are state laws that apply to maritime commerce, federal statutes, and international laws that govern maritime activities. Our Texas maritime injury attorneys have extensive knowledge of federal admiralty and maritime laws that apply to offshore workers. We understand which laws apply to your case and can represent you accordingly.

If you or a loved one suffered a maritime injury, call our Texas maritime injury lawyers to protect your rights. Our attorneys in Texas have extensive experience in maritime law and can help you navigate the murky waters of complex legal procedures to pursue maximum compensation for lost income, medical bills, and rehabilitation costs. We have a strong track record of delivering excellent results in maritime injury cases.

At Thompson Law, we accept all cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t have to pay our maritime injury lawyers unless and until we recover money for you. Our Texas personal injury attorneys offer FREE CONSULTATIONS and chare NO FEE unless we are able to obtain a settlement for your damages.

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Our Areas of Practice and Experience Handling Maritime Injury Claims

Our maritime injury lawyers have experience in handling offshore injury claims for workers. We’ve dealt with cases involving injuries from offshore oil rigs, drilling platforms, barges, boats, and other vessels. The experienced maritime lawyers at Thompson Law know what evidence to gather, how to navigate around the red tape involved, and how to fight for your rights to full compensation by the shipowner, employer, or both.

Offshore workers are often in a vulnerable position and can be taken advantage of by their employers, the shipowner, and insurance companies. Our Texas maritime injury lawyers are advocates for your rights and will ensure your safety as you pursue the compensation you’re entitled to. We’ll help you navigate through all the legal procedures and prepare you for hearings, negotiations, and even court litigation if necessary. We handle offshore accidents involving elements such as:

If you were injured at sea and have questions, contact our Texas maritime injury lawyers for a FREE CONSULTATION. We will help you understand what your options are and work to get you maximum compensation for your injuries.

What Compensation Can I Get For My Maritime Accident Injuries?

Maritime injury cases can result in huge financial losses due to medical bills, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity. If you were injured on the job, our skilled maritime injury lawyers can help you recover the compensation you need and deserve from all available sources, including:

  • Maintenance and cure,
  • Jones Act compensation, and
  • Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act benefits

When handling maritime injury cases, our attorneys often bring in experts to provide evidence and testimony. These experts could be engineers, medical professionals, safety specialists, or financial analysts. Having our experienced maritime lawyer means we’ll know which opinion leaders are best suited to your case.

What is Maintenance and Cure?

Maintenance and cure is a legal term in the maritime industry that refers to the compensation that an injured worker receives when they are injured while on duty. Maintenance refers to the daily living expenses, such as food and lodging, while the cure covers a portion of the medical expenses that the worker incurs as a result of their injuries. Even if the worker was not at fault for their injuries, maintenance and cure is still available to them.

Who Qualifies for Maintenance and Cure?

Maritime workers, including seamen and offshore workers, are entitled to maintenance and cure benefits if they are injured while on duty. Some of the vessels that fall within this category include drilling rigs, barges, fishing boats, and cargo ships. Maintenance and cure benefits also apply to part-time workers, as long as they are classified as seamen.

Benefits of Maintenance and Cure

The main benefit of maintenance and cure is that it provides injured workers with financial assistance while they are recovering from their injuries. This benefit also covers the living expenses of the worker while they cannot work. It also ensures that the medical bills incurred by the worker are paid for until they can resume work. The cure portion of the benefits enables the worker to receive medical care.

How to File for Maintenance and Cure

The process of filing for maintenance and cure is relatively straightforward. Once you are injured while on duty, inform your employer or company representative immediately. Seek medical attention for your injuries and keep a record of all the medical bills and the treatment received. File a notice of claim for maintenance and cure with your employer as soon as possible after the injury occurred.

As an injured maritime or offshore worker, it is essential to know your rights and the benefits available to you. If you have been injured while on duty, you are entitled to maintenance and cure benefits, which provides you with financial assistance while you recover from your injuries. By filing for maintenance and cure, you can have peace of mind knowing that the cost of your living expenses and medical bills will be adequately taken care of until you can return to work.

If you have any questions about maintenance and cure or the Jones Act, contact our Texas maritime injury lawyers with experience in maritime injury cases for a FREE CONSULTATION.

What is Jones Act Compensation?

The maritime industry is known for its high-risk work environment. As a result, injuries are a common occurrence among employees who work offshore or on ships. If you are a maritime worker who has suffered injuries due to the negligence of your employer or a co-worker, you may be entitled to compensation under the Jones Act.

What is the Jones Act?

The Jones Act is a law that provides protections for injured maritime workers who work aboard vessels in navigable waters. The act was passed in 1920 and amended in 2006 to include compensation for punitive damages. The law is also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 and is named after Congressman Wesley Jones, who proposed the legislation.

Who is Covered Under the Jones Act?

The Jones Act applies to workers who are employed on a vessel in navigable waters. The term “vessel” can include a wide range of vessels, such as tankers, oil rigs, cargo ships, tugboats, and dredges. Workers who are covered under the Jones Act can include seamen, longshoremen, dockworkers, and others who work on or near the water.

What Types of Compensation Can Be Recovered Under the Jones Act?

Under the Jones Act, an injured worker can recover compensation for damages related to their injuries. This can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future earning capacity. In addition, the Jones Act also allows for punitive damages in cases where the employer’s negligence or recklessness caused the worker’s injuries. Punitive damages are intended to punish the employer and prevent them from engaging in similar conduct in the future.

What Do You Need to do to File a Jones Act Claim?

If you are a maritime worker who has been injured due to the negligence of your employer or a co-worker, you should contact our experienced Texas maritime injury lawyers to help you file a Jones Act claim. To file a Jones Act claim, you must prove that your injury occurred while you were working aboard a vessel in navigable waters, and that your employer was negligent or reckless in their actions.

If you are a maritime worker who has been injured on the job, it is important to understand your legal rights and options for recovering compensation. The Jones Act is a powerful law that provides protections and compensation for injured maritime workers. If you believe you may have a Jones Act claim, contact our Texas maritime injury lawyers today for a NO OBLIGATION, FREE CONSULTATION to discuss your case and learn more about your legal options.

What Are Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act Benefits?

Working in the maritime industry can be a hazardous job, and accidents can happen anytime. When a maritime worker gets injured while on the job, they should receive proper compensation for medical expenses and lost wages. However, not all maritime workers are covered by workers’ compensation. In 1927, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act was passed to provide benefits for maritime workers not covered by state workers’ compensation laws.

What is the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act?

The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act is a federal law that provides workers’ compensation benefits to maritime workers who are not covered by state workers’ compensation laws. The law covers workers employed in industries such as longshoring, shipbuilding, ship-breaking, and repair, among others. The LHWCA also covers workers who load or unload vessels, work on or near the water, or work in areas adjacent to navigable waterways.

Who is Entitled to LHWCA Benefits?

Maritime employees who meet the criteria set forth in the LHWCA are entitled to its benefits. Employees who are not covered are those who work exclusively on floating vessels, those employed by the federal government, and those employed by small recreational businesses and family-owned/operated businesses.

What Benefits Does LHWCA Provide?

LHWCA benefits include medical expenses, lost wages, vocational rehabilitation, and death benefits. Medical expenses include all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to the employee’s injury, as well as travel expenses and prescription medications. Employees who are unable to work for more than three days due to their injury are entitled to lost wages, which can be up to two-thirds of their average weekly wage.

If the injury results in permanent disability and the employee can no longer perform the work they were employed to do, they may be entitled to vocational rehabilitation benefits. In the event of an employee’s death caused by a work-related injury, their surviving spouse, children or dependents may be entitled to death benefits.

How Do I File a LHWCA Claim?

To file a LHWCA claim, the employee must report the injury to their employer and file a formal claim with the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) within one year of the injury or the manifestation of the injury. The employer and their insurance company have a set amount of time to investigate the injury. If the claim is denied, the employee has the option to appeal the decision by requesting a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.

Why You Need Our Texas Maritime Injury Lawyers?

Navigating LHWCA benefits can be a challenging and complicated process for injured maritime workers. Hiring our Texas maritime injury lawyers who have experience with LHWCA claims can help ensure that the injured employee receives the full compensation and benefits they deserve under the law. Our attorneys can provide legal assistance throughout the entire claims process and fight for the employee’s rights in the event of a denied claim.

The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act provides essential benefits to those maritime workers who are not covered by state workers’ compensation laws. These benefits include medical expenses, lost wages, vocational rehabilitation, and death benefits. However, filing a claim for these benefits can be a complicated and arduous process.

Injured maritime workers should consider hiring our Texas maritime injury lawyers to help them navigate the claims process and fight for their rights under the LHWCA. If you’re an injured maritime worker seeking legal assistance, contact us for a FREE CASE ASSESSMENT. We’re here to help you get the compensation you deserve.

At Thompson Law

We provide maritime accident victims with dedicated and tenacious legal representation, ensuring that you get fair value for your claim. Our Texas maritime injury lawyers will build a strong case with supporting evidence so that you recover the money that you deserve.

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Common Maritime Injuries

Working on a maritime vessel or an offshore platform is no easy feat. It involves long hours of manual labor, unpredictable weather, and rough working conditions. It is no surprise that maritime workers are at a high risk of getting injured while on the job. Injuries that occur while working on a vessel or offshore platform are usually serious and can have lasting effects on the injured worker’s life. Some of the most common maritime injuries our Texas maritime injury lawyers see include:

  • Burn Injuries:  Maritime workers are exposed to flames, hot liquids, and chemicals that can cause burns. For example, engine rooms have hot pipes, while fuel transferring is done over the open flame, which could cause second-degree burns. Burns are critical injuries that require immediate medical attention, and it’s important to insist on adequate safety equipment and gear when working in dangerous workplaces.
  • Head Injuries:  Most maritime work requires operating heavy machinery, and this could result in head injuries. For instance, the worker’s head could hit on the ships’ cargo hold ceiling when carrying out loading and offloading of the cargo. Head injuries can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage, and it’s essential to seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms.
  • Back Injuries:  Back injuries are prevalent among maritime workers due to the heavy lifting they have to perform. Lifting boxes, crates, and other cargo items can strain or sprain muscles and your spine. Additionally, the constant swaying and vibrations from the ship can cause spinal injuries, such as herniated disks in the back and neck, and in severe cases, spinal cord injuries or paralysis. It’s important to take a break and stretch between heavy lifts and seek medical treatment immediately if you experience back soreness.
  • Limb Injuries:  Workers on oil rigs often work with heavy equipment and machinery that can cause limb injuries. This often comes in the form of amputations, joint injuries, and bone fractures. Amputations, in particular, can permanently alter a worker’s quality of life and lead to mental anguish and depression. Offshore workers who experience an amputation injury should seek sponsorships from their employer to cover surgery, rehabilitation, and medical expenses under state-funded programs like the Jones Act or the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.

Maritime injuries can be severe and life-changing. Seeking the assistance of our Texas maritime injury lawyers can help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Our maritime lawyers can help to conduct an independent investigation, negotiate with your employer, and develop a comprehensive legal strategy.

If you or a loved one has been injured while working on a maritime vessel or offshore platform, call our Texas maritime injury lawyers for a FREE CASE REVIEW.

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Our Texas Maritime Injury Lawyers Charge NO UPFRONT FEES

Call Our Texas Maritime Injury Lawyers Today!

Thompson Law offers FREE CASE REVIEWS, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Further, our Texas maritime injury lawyers charge NO FEE unless we win.

You will not incur any attorney fees, court costs, legal expenses, or any other costs unless we recover money on your behalf. If our Texas maritime injury lawyers do obtain a settlement for you, our fee will only come out of a portion of the settlement.

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If you need a Texas maritime injury lawyer, give us a call today and let us do the fighting for you. If you do not need a maritime injury lawyer today, save our contact card in your phone instead of searching “maritime injury attorney near me” after you are in an offshore accident, so we will be there for you when you do need us.

The statute of limitations in Texas is 2 years in most injury accidents. If you have been injured in an accident at sea, call our Texas maritime accident lawyers today or submit a form for a NO COST, NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION. Take action to protect your right to a full value monetary recovery for your maritime injuries. The sooner you know your options, the faster you’ll be on the path to recovery.

Personal Injury FAQs

Personal Injury

If you are injured in any type of accident, your first priority should be to seek immediate medical attention, even if you are not certain that you are injured. Seeking immediate medical treatment does two things: 1) it ensures injuries you sustained are diagnosed and treated; and, 2) it helps eliminate any doubt by the insurance company that your injuries were caused by the accident. 

Often, the shock and adrenaline of an accident can mask symptoms of injuries, so making the mistake of skipping a medical examination can have profound consequences. By seeking prompt medical treatment, you protect both your health and your ability to seek compensation for your injuries with the help of your attorney.

If you were in a motor vehicle accident we have also detailed here what to do after a car accident.

A skilled personal injury lawyer is necessary to get full and fair compensation for injuries you sustained in an accident. Most defendants, whether individual drivers or commercial vehicle operators, are covered by liability insurance. Those insurance companies are not obligated to protect or take care of you. Insurance companies exist to protect the defendant (their customer) who caused the wreck. 

A personal injury attorney can help you obtain compensation for every category of damages to which you are legally entitled. These damages can include things like: medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain & suffering, punitive damages, loss of limb, diminished mental function, physical impairment, scarring or disfigurement, emotional or mental trauma, and loss of consortium (in wrongful death claims). Further, you may be entitled to future medical bills, future lost income, future pain and suffering, and other damages in severe injury cases.

Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage can help save the day if you are hit by an uninsured driver or if you are the victim in a hit-and-run collision. In short, UM coverage is an add-on coverage that drivers can add to their auto insurance policies that will protect them in the event that they are in an auto accident with a driver who either does not have insurance or cannot be located. You can contact your insurance provider to confirm whether your policy includes UM. If you do not have this coverage, the personal injury attorneys at Thompson Law recommend that you consider adding UM to your auto insurance policy today. 

Absolutely not. It’s important to leave the investigation to the professionals. They know exactly how to work a case to determine all of the facts and details.

Some of the most devastating injuries caused by careless driving happen to pedestrians. As a pedestrian, you have the same right to be free from injury and harm caused by the irresponsibility, error, or negligence of others as any motorist on the road. In is important to obtain the services of an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible if you are injured as a pedestrian. The right attorney will see that you receive the medical care you need, guide your damage claim process, and receive full compensation for your injuries.  

Typically, yes. If a family member is seriously injured or killed in an accident, or if the injured party is a minor child, then it may be appropriate under the law for a parent, spouse, relative, or legal guardian to file a claim or lawsuit on behalf of the injured or deceased party.  These types of claims are complex, and usually depend on the type of relationship involved, as well as the individual facts and circumstances of the injury. Calling the experienced personal injury attorneys at Thompson Law is step one to explore filing a legal claim on behalf of your loved one. 

If the other vehicle involved in your crash was an 18 wheeler or another commercial vehicle, call an attorney immediately. Companies who own commercial vehicles and 18 wheelers often have their own team of investigators who will arrive on the scene immediately working on the driver’s defense case. The sooner you involve an attorney of your own, the better your chances are of receiving compensation for your injuries and damages.

No. They aren’t trying to help you. They’re trying to protect their drivers and reduce their costs. That’s why they have a team of lawyers ready to flock to the scene of any accident. Don’t accept any form of compensation until you talk to your attorney. Most victims of 18 wheeler crashes sustain more injuries than victims of normal crashes, and can receive higher compensation as a result. Don’t let them fool you into accepting a smaller payout for your injuries and damages. Your injuries could require years of medications and surgeries, and the company will try everything to avoid making huge payouts. Call your attorney and let them do the negotiating on your behalf.

The best personal injury attorney has three major characteristics: Excellent customer service, cutting edge technology, and a willingness to take cases and win at trial. Ask your potential attorney about the client experience they offer, what kind of technology they use to make your life easier, and when was the last time they took a case to jury trial. Asking these types of questions will give you guidance on what kind of experience you can expect as a client and what kind of results you can expect at the end of your case.

Thompson Law has high ratings from clients for its emphasis on customer service, and its attorneys have achieved significant results on small, large, and complex cases alike. No matter if you have been involved in a minor car wreck or are dealing with catastrophic injuries from a rarer and more devastating event like a terrible workplace accident, dog bite, or an 18 wheeler wreck, Thompson Law can assist you.  

Yes! Thompson Law is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide free consultations. If you have been injured in a truck wreck or car accident, hurt in a slip and fall incident, or otherwise injured from the negligence of another person or party, give us a call any time at 1-800-LION-LAW. We can speak to you over the phone, chat online through our website or social media outlets, or arrange an in-person meeting at your convenience. Our team is ready to help! 

An insurance company will not pay medical expenses or other damages as they come due; rather, after they have accepted liability, the insurance company will make a one-time, lump-sum final payment only at the end of your case.  Dealing with medical expenses, and obtaining the proper medical care, after an accident can be tricky. But it does not have to be! Call the personal injury attorneys at Thompson Law, who can explain how to deal with the “day-of” hospital bills, how to continue to receive the care you need, and ultimately how to recover an appropriate settlement that takes care of your bills from the incident as well as fair and just compensation for you.

Let’s be honest: this isn’t a legal show on TV and your case will not settle in the next hour – or even tomorrow.  The true answer is: it depends.  We find that most cases settle within 6-12 months from date of incident; but the timeline in your case could be shorter or longer depending on: the facts and circumstances of the accident; the length of time it takes you to complete medical treatment; and the character of the insurance company, or companies, involved in your case.  In the event that your case cannot settle pre-litigation and it becomes necessary to file a lawsuit, the litigation process alone can take 1 to 2 years due to the court system and legal process necessary to prepare for trial.  But because so much of the timeline depends on the facts and circumstances of your unique case, call Thompson Law today to discuss the personal injury claims process

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Thompson Law receives an attorney fee and you pay no legal fees as our client unless we pay you. Thompson Law has 350 years of combined experience in legal representation and has won over $1.8 billion dollars in cash settlements for our clients. We master the art of managing client cases with empathy, compassion, respect and, of course, prodigious skill. Contact us today for a free, risk-free consultation to discuss your accident and your options.

State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an auto accident. If you have been injured in an accident, call now to get the help you need.