Moody Law Firm | Personal Injury Lawyer Houston
Main: (713) 977-9900
Chinese: (713) 977-1616
Vietnamese: (713) 977-6668
Spanish: (713) 977-1800
Schedule Consultationen Español

Houston Maritime Accident Attorney

Oil & Gas are a huge industry in Houston and surrounding areas.  Additionally, being one of the largest port cities in the world makes us a transportation hub.  As such, there are many maritime jobs in and around the Houston area from workers on ships to offshore refineries.  There are a unique set of laws that govern injuries sustained while at sea and even in the docks that service sea vessels.   If you have been injured at sea or as a dock worker, you should consult with an experienced maritime injury lawyer like Attorney Paul Moody.

Maritime laws are complex and having an experienced attorney represent your interest can be the difference in the amount of compensation you receive for your injuries.  Maritime Accidents fall under the Jones Act and understanding how it works can help you get what you need to recover from your injuries.

Start Free Consultation
Dock Workers Accident Attorney

What to do after a maritime accident

Whenever possible, maritime employees should act quickly after an accident. Here are some things that may help your Houston maritime claim:

Your health is your first priority.  You should seek medical attention from an independent provider to properly diagnose and document your injuries.

If you are able, gather as much information as possible.  That includes witness information, accident location and situation, unsafe conditions, faulty equipment.  Take photos if possible.  Report your injury to your supervisor to start the process of documenting your accident.

It is always a good idea to talk to an experienced maritime accident attorney after a serious accident involving injuries.  You may have sustained short, long or permanent disabilities.  An attorney will make sure all your loss is figured into the settlement amount.  Studies have shown that people represented by attorney typically get up to 40% more settlement amounts than those that handle the case themselves.

Start Free Consultation

Texas Maritime Injury Accident Statistics

Texas employees working for offshore oil drilling and gas exploration companies are 7 times more likely to be killed on the job than the average Texas worker.  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found there were 128 fatalities in activities related to offshore oil and gas operations from 2003-2010.

FuelFix, a news source on the energy industry, reports that 4 of 5 major offshore accidents are caused by human error, highlighting the need to make safety training and risk assessments an active part of maintaining offshore oil rigs.

Houston Maritime Law

Thousands of workers that fall under the maritime Jones Act that protect workers rights.  These provisions require owners of seafaring vessels to provide a safe work environment.  It sets forth policies for workers to get compensated if they get injured as a result of negligence.  Qualifying seamen can recover appropriate compensation from employers.

For those that work for these maritime companies but do not go out to sea and are not classified as seamen, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act is a federal law that allows injured dock workers, ship builders and other harbor workers to recover losses.  The provisions of this Act generally provide better compensation than workers compensation laws.

Start Free Consultation

Frequently Asked Auto Accidents Questions

Maritime laws are complex and easy to miss some important regulation that could cost you thousands or more in compensation.  An experienced maritime injury lawyer will determine all your loss and maximize the damages you can collect for.  Personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis so no fee unless you win your case.

Unlike other lawyers, personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis which means that they take no money upfront and only get paid if they win your case and you receive a settlement.  That seems like a win-win situation but even with contingency fee arrangements, the personal injury attorney you choose can have a big impact on the amount of money you get.  Choose a local attorney that knows the local laws and experienced in maritime accidents with a track record of winning cases.

If you have been injured in a maritime accident you can claim compensation for:

  • Medical costs
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Physical pain
  • Mental anguish
  • Physical limitations
  • Disfigurement

Additionally, you can recover damages for maintenance such as food and housing as well as the right to a “cure” which covers medical payments for treatments to maximum improvement.  This could lead to disability payments if you get temporary or permanent disability from your accident.  You can also qualify for vocational rehabilitation services.

Paul Is Here To Help You

With the complex maritime laws under the Jones Act, Attorney Paul Moody knows how to investigate and gather evidence to present your strongest case.  Each year, thousands of seamen, dockworkers, commercial fisherman, and oil rig employees are seriously injured or even fatally wounded off the coast of Texas.

The average fatality rate for US workers is 3.7 deaths for every 100,000 employees per year, while the fatality rate average for offshore crew members is 25 per 100,000 workers.  Contact Attorney Paul Moody for solid advice on how to proceed with your maritime injury claim

Expect more from your personal injury attorney

Get Paul On Your Side
Paul Moody Personal Injury Attorney
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. If you continue to use this site, you agree with it. Privacy Policy