Houston Maritime Attorney
PRACTICE AREAS
The Houston maritime attorneys at Reich and Binstock have extensive experience representing injured maritime workers in maritime cases under maritime and admiralty laws. The hazardous maritime industry puts maritime employees, offshore workers, dock workers, and harbor construction workers at risk of serious injuries from offshore accidents, cargo ship accidents, and maritime negligence. Whether your offshore injury falls under the Jones Act, the Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, or general maritime law, our Houston offshore injury lawyers can help you seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other financial losses. We fight for injured seamen, longshore workers, and others who have suffered due to the employer’s negligence or unsafe conditions at sea.
Our Houston maritime injury lawyers handle personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis, so injured offshore workers and their families don’t owe any legal fees unless we secure financial compensation on their behalf.
If you need an experienced maritime lawyer in Houston, TX, contact our law firm today for a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer who will protect your legal rights. Call 713-622-7271 to get started.
When Does Admiralty Law and Maritime Law Apply to Maritime Injuries in Texas
Maritime law, also called admiralty law, governs maritime injury claims when maritime workers, including offshore workers, harbor workers, and longshore workers, suffer offshore injuries on navigable waters. Maritime law applies to maritime injury cases involving offshore accidents and other incidents in the maritime industry.
Under general maritime law, injured workers may seek fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and medical treatment, while laws like the Jones Act and the Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act provide additional protections. Claims under maritime law often involve maritime companies, employers, and their insurance companies who may try to limit payouts, making it crucial for offshore workers injured in Texas to seek representation from an experienced maritime attorney. A skilled Houston maritime attorney can handle maritime law cases under federal law, ensuring injured workers receive the substantial settlements they deserve.
At Reich & Binstock, our national trial lawyers provide aggressive representation for personal injury claims, helping injured clients recover from serious injuries. If you or a loved one was injured offshore, contact our Houston law office for a free consultation with a top Houston maritime lawyer today.
Maritime Industry Regulations Affecting Houston Maritime Injury Cases
Our maritime lawyers in Houston have a deep understanding of the following maritime laws, also called admiralty laws.
The Jones Act
The Jones Act is a crucial federal law that protects injured workers, allowing them to file maritime injury claims against their maritime companies for negligence.
Unlike traditional workers’ compensation, the Jones Act allows maritime employees to recover damages for medical expenses, lost income, medical treatment, and long-term care if their employer failed to provide a safe working environment. The Jones Act applies to those who spend at least 30% of their time working on a vessel in navigable waters, including offshore, cargo ship, and harbor workers.
In maritime cases of wrongful death, the Jones Act allows surviving family members to seek compensation for loss of future earnings, funeral expenses, and other financial losses. This also ensures that victims can take their offshore injury cases to federal courts rather than being restricted by standard maritime regulations.
Since maritime accident cases often involve insurance companies and maritime employers trying to reduce payouts, hiring an experienced maritime attorney is essential. A qualified Houston maritime attorney can fight for maximum settlements under the Jones Act, ensuring maritime workers and their families receive fair compensation.
If you or a loved one was injured at sea, contact a Houston maritime lawyer for a free consultation to discuss your rights.
Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) is a federal law that provides benefits to injured maritime workers who are not covered under the Jones Act. The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation applies to longshore workers, dock workers, and harbor construction workers who are injured while working on or near navigable waters.
Under this act, workers can receive medical treatment, compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and financial maintenance payments if they suffer a work-related maritime injury. If a worker sustains a severe injury that results in permanent disability, this maritime law ensures long-term compensation based on the severity of the impairment.
In maritime cases of wrongful death, this maritime law provides survivor benefits to family members, including funeral expenses and a portion of the worker’s lost income. Unlike traditional personal injury lawsuits, this maritime law does not require proving employer negligence, ensuring that workers receive compensation regardless of fault. Since maritime injury cases under this maritime law involve complex admiralty law, hiring an experienced maritime lawyer is essential.
A Houston maritime attorney can help navigate the maritime injury claims process and ensure that injured workers receive the fair settlement they deserve. Contact our Houston law office for a free case evaluation.
Death on the High Seas Act
The Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) is a federal maritime law that allows families of seaman, offshore, and maritime workers, to seek compensation when a loved one dies due to a wrongful act, maritime negligence, or an offshore accident that occurs more than three nautical miles from U.S. shores.
Under the Death on the High Seas Act, surviving family members can file maritime injury claims against maritime employers, vessel owners, or other responsible parties to recover lost income, medical bills, funeral costs, and loss of financial support.
Unlike standard personal injury lawsuits, DOHSA limits compensation to economic damages, meaning families cannot recover for pain and suffering. Because maritime law applies in these maritime cases, DOHSA claims are handled in federal courts under admiralty laws. An adept Houston maritime attorney can help families navigate the complexities of the Death on the High Seas Act, ensuring they receive the substantial settlement they deserve. If you lost a loved one due to an offshore injury, contact the Houston offshore injury lawyers at our law firm for a free initial consultation today.
Limitation of Liability Act
The Limitation of Liability Act is a maritime law that allows vessel owners to limit their financial liability after a maritime, cargo ship, or offshore accident. Under this admiralty law, maritime companies, employers, and their insurance companies can attempt to cap their liability to the post-accident value of the vessel, potentially reducing compensation for injured seamen and families filing maritime injury claims.
The Limitation of Liability Act is often used in maritime injury cases, including those involving serious accidents, wrongful acts, and catastrophic injuries, to protect vessel owners from paying full damages. However, injured workers can challenge this defense by proving maritime negligence or that the owner had prior knowledge of the hazardous conditions. Because maritime law applies, these cases are handled federally under admiralty laws. Our Houston maritime attorneys can fight against unfair liability limits, ensuring victims recover medical costs, lost pay, and fair settlements. If you or a loved one suffered an injury at sea, contact the Houston maritime injury attorneys at our law firm for a free case evaluation.
Seaman’s Right to Maintenance and Cure
Under maritime law, injured seamen are entitled to maintenance and cure, a fundamental right that ensures financial and medical support after an offshore accident.
Maintenance covers daily living expenses, such as food, housing, and utilities, while cure requires maritime employers to pay for treatment, including doctor visits, surgeries, and rehabilitation. These benefits apply regardless of fault, protecting maritime workers in the hazardous maritime industry. However, offshore companies and insurance companies often try to limit or deny payments, making it essential to work with a seasoned Houston maritime lawyer.
If an employer refuses to provide benefits, an injured seaman may pursue legal action under the Jones Act or maritime law to recover medical costs, lost pay, and additional damages. A seasoned Houston maritime attorney can help file maritime injury claims, challenge wrongful denials, and fight for fair settlements. At our law firm, our Houston maritime injury attorneys handle complex maritime law cases under admiralty law, ensuring seamen get the support they deserve.
Saving to Suitors Clause
The Saving to Suitors Clause is a critical part of maritime law that allows injured maritime workers to file maritime injury claims in state and federal courts, rather than being restricted solely to admiralty law. This clause benefits maritime workers, including offshore workers, and longshore and harbor workers, by giving them the choice to pursue maritime personal injury lawsuits in courts where they may receive fair recovery for medical bills and lost income.
Under the Saving to Suitors Clause, claimants can bring maritime injury cases against employers, vessel owners, and companies in Houston maritime law services, rather than being limited to federal trials under general maritime law.
This is particularly useful for those with serious injuries in offshore accidents within the maritime industry. Our Houston maritime lawyers can help navigate the complexities of maritime injury cases under federal maritime law, ensuring that victims maximize their recovery. If you or a loved one was injured at sea, contact a Houston maritime attorney from our law firm for a free initial consultation.
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act
The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) is a federal statute that extends maritime law protections to offshore workers involved in oil, gas, and mineral extraction beyond U.S. territorial waters. Under OCSLA, injured maritime workers and offshore employees on platforms, rigs, and other fixed structures in the maritime industry can file maritime injury claims for medical damages, lost income, and medical care.
Unlike the Jones Act, which covers injured seamen, OCSLA applies land-based laws that provide benefits for harbor workers, longshore workers, and other maritime employees working on the Outer Continental Shelf.
If an offshore accident results in a severe injury or wrongful act, victims may seek compensation under maritime law or through federal and state courts. Because maritime law applies, an experienced maritime injury lawyer is essential to navigate complex maritime law cases and secure maximum compensation. The Houston maritime attorney team at our law firm fights for the rights of injured workers under OCSLA.
Workers at Risk for Maritime Injuries in Houston
In Houston, many maritime workers face high risks of severe injuries due to the city’s proximity to major ports, shipping channels, and offshore operations in the oil and gas industry. The most at-risk workers include:
- Offshore Workers: Those working on oil rigs, drilling platforms, and vessels in the Gulf of Mexico are vulnerable to accidents, including cargo ship crashes, fires, explosions, and falls.
- Harbor and Longshore Workers: Longshore workers, dock workers, and construction workers face hazards from heavy cargo, equipment failures, and maritime negligence while loading and unloading ships.
- Seamen and Crew Members: Those covered under the Jones Act who work on vessels are at risk for personal injuries from maritime accidents, unsafe conditions, and wrongful acts by employers.
- Commercial Fishermen: A highly dangerous job, injured maritime workers in this field often suffer from personal injuries due to harsh weather, equipment failures, and falls overboard.
- Harbor and Shipyard Workers: Those involved in vessel repairs, maintenance, and construction face risks of maritime injury cases, including exposure to toxic chemicals, heavy machinery accidents, and falls.
- Dredge Workers and Salvage Divers: These workers are exposed to offshore industry conditions, including entrapment, drowning, and equipment malfunctions.
- Tugboat and Barge Workers: These maritime employees operate in fast-moving waters, increasing risks of collisions, capsizing, and wrongful death incidents.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a maritime accident, an experienced Houston maritime attorney at our law firm can help you file a maritime injury claim. Contact our maritime injury lawyers today for a free initial consultation to explore your legal options.
Common Maritime Accidents Our Houston Offshore Accident Lawyers Handle
Well Blowouts on Oil Platforms
Well blowouts on oil platforms are among the most dangerous offshore and maritime accidents in the oil and gas industry, often leading to catastrophic injuries, fires, and environmental disasters. A well blowout occurs when uncontrolled pressure causes oil or gas to escape from a well, typically due to equipment failure, improper maintenance, or maritime negligence. These accidents put maritime workers at extreme risk of critical injuries, including burns, traumatic brain injuries, and exposure to toxic gases. Workers injured in a well blowout may be entitled to file maritime injury claims under the Jones Act, maritime law, or the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA). Since maritime law does apply, securing a qualified maritime lawyer in Houston is crucial for navigating maritime injury cases. Contact a Houston oil and gas injury lawyer to discuss your case.
Jack-Up Rig Accidents
Jack-up rig accidents are a major risk in the offshore industry, often resulting in significant injuries for maritime workers involved in drilling and exploration. These maritime accidents can occur due to employer negligence, equipment failures, shifting sea conditions, or structural instability while the rig is elevated on its legs. Injured employees may be entitled to file maritime injury claims under the Jones Act, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), or maritime law to recover damages. Since maritime law is used, working with a maritime attorney in Houston, TX, is crucial to ensuring maximum recovery. If you or a loved one was injured in a jack-up rig accident, contact our maritime lawyers at our law firm.
Deck Accidents
Deck accidents are common maritime accidents, often resulting in life-threatening injuries due to slippery surfaces, falling cargo, equipment failures, or maritime accidents. Workers on cargo ships, offshore rigs, and other vessels face risks of fatal injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, fractures, and drowning. Many deck accidents occur because employers fail to provide proper safety gear, maintain equipment, or train workers on maritime regulations. Injured employees may be eligible to file maritime claims under the Jones Act, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, or maritime law to recover damages. If you or a family member was injured in a deck accident, contact a maritime lawyer in Houston.
Dredge Accidents
Dredge accidents are serious maritime accidents, often caused by equipment malfunctions, unstable surfaces, or maritime negligence. Workers face hazards such as entanglement, falls, and collapsing sediment. Since maritime law is used, injured employers may file maritime injury cases under the Jones Act or Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act to recover damages. If you’ve been hurt in a dredging accident, a maritime lawyer in Houston, TX, can help.
Slip and Falls
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, from workplaces to public spaces, often leading to critical injuries such as fractures, head trauma, and spinal damage. Wet surfaces, uneven flooring, poor lighting, and lack of proper safety measures are common causes of these incidents. Victims may face expensive medical costs, lost income, and long-term rehabilitation. When a slip and fall occurs due to negligence, the injured party may have legal grounds to pursue compensation. A Houston slip and fall lawyer can help navigate the legal process, gather evidence, and hold responsible parties accountable. If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, seeking legal guidance can ensure you receive the support and compensation you deserve.
Equipment Failure
Equipment failure can lead to painful injuries, especially when machinery, tools, or safety devices malfunction due to defects or poor maintenance. Faulty construction, design flaws, or lack of proper warnings can make products dangerous for workers and consumers alike. These failures can result in broken bones, burns, head trauma, or even life-threatening accidents. When a defective product causes harm, the manufacturer, distributor, or employer may be held liable. A Houston defective product attorney can help victims pursue compensation for healthcare costs, lost pay, and pain and suffering. If you or a loved one has been injured due to faulty equipment, legal representation can ensure those responsible are held accountable.
Explosions
Explosions can cause devastating injuries, property damage, and even loss of life, often resulting from gas leaks, chemical reactions, or equipment malfunctions. Victims may suffer from severe burns, fractures, lung damage, and traumatic injuries due to the force of the blast. In many cases, explosions occur due to negligence, lack of proper safety protocols, or defective equipment. Those affected may be entitled to compensation for medical payments, lost paychecks, and long-term care. A Houston explosion accident lawyer can help investigate the cause, determine liability, and fight for the compensation victims deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured in an explosion, seeking legal assistance can help protect your rights and secure financial recovery.
Flash Fires
Flash fires are sudden, intense bursts of flames that ignite in highly flammable environments, often causing severe burns, respiratory damage, and other life-threatening injuries. These fires can occur in industrial settings, construction sites, and areas where combustible materials are present. Many flash fires result from negligence, unsafe working conditions, or equipment malfunctions, leaving victims with extensive healthcare bills, lost earnings, and long-term recovery challenges. A Houston flash fire accident lawyer can help injured individuals seek compensation by investigating the cause of the fire, identifying responsible parties, and holding them accountable. If you or a loved one has been affected by a flash fire, legal guidance can be essential in securing the financial support needed for recovery.
Toxic Exposure
Toxic exposure can occur in workplaces, homes, or public areas where harmful chemicals, gases, or hazardous materials are present. Long-term or high-level exposure to toxic substances can lead to serious health conditions, including respiratory diseases, neurological disorders, organ damage, and even cancer. Victims may be exposed through inhalation, skin contact, or contaminated water and food sources. In many cases, toxic exposure results from negligence, improper safety protocols, or failure to warn about dangerous materials. A Houston toxic exposure lawyer can help victims seek compensation. If you or a loved one has suffered from toxic exposure, legal assistance can help hold responsible parties accountable and secure the financial recovery you deserve.
Cruise Ship Accidents
Cruise ship accidents can lead to profound injuries, illnesses, or even fatalities due to slippery decks, onboard fires, mechanical failures, or negligent security. Passengers and crew members may suffer from falls, food poisoning, drowning incidents, or medical malpractice while at sea. When these accidents occur due to poor maintenance, inadequate safety measures, or staff negligence, victims may have the right to pursue compensation. A Houston cruise ship accident lawyer can help investigate the incident, determine liability, and fight for financial recovery for serious maritime accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured on a cruise, seeking legal representation can help ensure you receive the justice and compensation you deserve.
Cargo Ship Accidents
Cargo ship accidents can result in severe harm to crew members, dock workers, and others involved in loading, unloading, or operating these massive vessels. Common causes include equipment malfunctions, heavy cargo shifts, fires, collisions, and falls from dangerous heights. These incidents can lead to broken bones, head trauma, drowning, or even fatalities. Poor maintenance, improper safety protocols, and employer negligence often play a role in cargo ship injuries. A Houston maritime accident lawyer can help injured employees and their families pursue compensation, hold responsible parties accountable, and navigate complex maritime laws.
Dive Boat Accidents
Dive boat accidents can lead to serious or fatal injuries, often caused by maritime accidents such as equipment failures, poor vessel maintenance, negligent crew actions, or unsafe diving conditions. Divers and passengers may suffer from drowning, decompression sickness, oxygen tank malfunctions, or injuries from collisions. In many cases, these accidents result from operator negligence, lack of proper safety procedures, or failure to follow maritime laws. A Houston dive boat accident lawyer can help victims and their families seek compensation. If you or a loved one has been injured in a dive boat accident, legal representation can ensure your rights are protected and those responsible are held accountable.
Underwater Welding Accidents
Underwater welding accidents are among the most dangerous maritime accidents, often leading to fatalities due to electric shocks, explosions, drowning, or decompression sickness. The combination of high-pressure environments and hazardous materials increases the risk of serious harm for underwater welders. Victims of these accidents may suffer from burns, lung damage, or neurological conditions requiring extensive medical care. Under maritime law, injured employees may be entitled to compensation for medical records, lost income, and rehabilitation costs. A maritime injury lawyer in Houston can help victims navigate complex legal claims and fight for financial recovery. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an underwater welding accident, a Houston underwater welding accidents attorney can provide the legal support needed to hold responsible parties accountable and secure rightful compensation.
Fatal Maritime Accidents
Fatal maritime accidents are devastating tragedies that occur due to vessel collisions, equipment failures, falls overboard, fires, or unsafe working conditions. These incidents often result from negligence, poor safety protocols, or employer misconduct, leaving families with emotional and financial burdens. When a loved one dies in a maritime accident, surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for wrongful death damages, including funeral expenses, lost pay, and loss of financial support. A Houston fatal maritime accident lawyer can help investigate the cause of the accident and pursue legal action against those responsible. Families seeking justice can also work with a wrongful death lawyer in Houston to file claims under maritime law and secure the compensation they deserve. If you have lost a loved one due to a fatal maritime accident, legal guidance can help protect your rights and hold negligent parties accountable.
Common Maritime Cases Our Houston Maritime Injury Lawyers Handle
The national trial lawyers at Reich & Binstock often handle the following maritime accident cases. If you’ve been seriously injured at sea, contact a skilled maritime lawyer from our legal team.
Crush Injuries
Crush injuries are common in maritime accident cases, often occurring when workers get caught between heavy equipment, cargo, or vessel structures. These injuries can lead to severe fractures, nerve damage, amputations, or internal organ trauma, requiring extensive medical care and long-term rehabilitation. Many crush injuries result from maritime negligence, such as unsafe working conditions, improper equipment maintenance, or lack of safety training. Under maritime law, injured employees may be entitled to compensation for medical care costs, lost paychecks, and pain and suffering. A maritime lawyer in Houston can help victims of crush injuries navigate complex legal claims and fight for their rightful compensation. If you or a loved one has suffered a crush injury due to a maritime accident, legal assistance can ensure that responsible parties are held accountable.
Brain Injuries
Brain injuries are among the most serious consequences of maritime and offshore claims, often resulting from falls, explosions, falling cargo, or vessel collisions. These injuries can range from concussions to severe traumatic brain damage, leading to long-term cognitive, physical, and emotional impairments. Under maritime law, injured staff may be entitled to compensation for medical damages, lost earnings, and ongoing care. A Houston brain injury lawyer can help victims pursue legal action against negligent employers or vessel owners. If a brain injury occurs at sea or on the docks, a maritime lawyer in Houston can assist in filing offshore claims to secure the compensation needed for recovery.
Burn Injuries
Burn injuries are a serious risk in maritime lawsuits, often resulting from fires, explosions, chemical exposure, or electrical malfunctions aboard vessels, offshore rigs, or docks. These injuries can cause severe pain, permanent scarring, nerve damage, and life-threatening complications, requiring extensive treatment and rehabilitation. Many burn injuries occur due to maritime negligence, such as failure to follow safety protocols, defective equipment, or lack of fire suppression systems. Victims may be entitled to compensation for medical payments, lost earnings, and long-term care under maritime law. A Houston burn lawyer can help injured employees pursue claims against responsible parties. Our maritime lawyers in Houston can assist with filing a claim to secure maximum compensation.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are some of the most devastating consequences of maritime accidents, often caused by falls, heavy cargo impacts, vessel collisions, or unsafe working conditions. These offshore injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, chronic pain, and lifelong disability, requiring extensive medical costs and rehabilitation. Filing a maritime accident claim can help victims recover compensation for medical fees, lost earnings, and long-term care. A Houston spine injury lawyer can assist injured employees in pursuing legal action against negligent employers or vessel owners. For those injured at sea or on docks, a maritime lawyer in Houston, TX can navigate complex maritime law to ensure maximum compensation. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury in a maritime accident, legal representation can help secure the financial support needed for recovery.
Legal Rights of Injured Seamen and Injured Maritime Workers in Houston, TX
Injured employees who work offshore have important legal rights under maritime law, ensuring they receive compensation and medical care after an offshore injury. Under the Jones Act, seamen have the right to file a claim against their employers if negligence caused their injuries. They are also entitled to maintenance and cure, which covers daily living expenses and medical care regardless of fault.
For longshore workers, dock workers, and other non-seamen, the LHWCA provides coverage for medical care, lost earnings, and rehabilitation.
In cases of wrongful death, surviving family members can seek compensation under the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA). A maritime lawyer in Houston, TX can help injured employees working offshore understand their rights and fight for fair settlements in federal and state courts.
How a Houston Maritime Injury Lawyer Can Help
File a Maritime Personal Injury Claim
Filing a maritime claim can be complex, especially in maritime injury cases, but a Houston maritime lawyer can guide you through the legal process and ensure you receive a fair settlement. An experienced maritime lawyer can investigate the maritime accident, gather medical records, consult with medical experts, and determine liability against employers, vessel owners, and negotiate skillfully with their insurance companies.
Whether your maritime injury case falls under the Jones Act, maritime law, or the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation liability, our Houston maritime lawyers will fight for the financial maintenance payments injured clients deserve.
The Houston maritime lawyers at our law firm handle maritime claims for all workers injured offshore.
Negotiate With Insurance Companies For Settlements for Medical Bills, Lost Wages, and Other Damages
Negotiating with insurance companies after a maritime injury can be challenging, as they often attempt to minimize payouts or deny valid maritime injury claims. A Houston maritime lawyer is essential in ensuring injured offshore employees receive maximum compensation.
Insurance companies use aggressive tactics to reduce liability for employers and vessel owners, often undervaluing medical cost, lost pay, and long-term care needs. Our maritime attorneys in Houston, Texas, have a deep understanding of maritime law and will gather medical records, accident reports, and expert testimony to strengthen your maritime case.
Whether filing a Jones Act claim, a Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act case, a personal injury or wrongful death claim, having a maritime lawyer in Houston levels the playing field against insurance companies. At Reich & Binstock, our maritime injury lawyers negotiate aggressively on behalf of clients and their family members.
Houston Maritime Lawyer
If you or a family member has sustained significant offshore injuries, your family may be entitled to compensation. To find out if you or your loved one is entitled to compensation, contact an experienced maritime injury lawyer in Houston, Texas. With our extensive experience, we are confident we will be able to help you navigate this complex area of maritime law and help you get the compensation you deserve.
To protect your legal rights, call us at 713-622-7271 or complete our confidential online form for a free case evaluation.
When you establish an attorney-client relationship with us, any sensitive information you disclose will remain confidential.
There is never a fee unless we recover on your behalf.
Additionally, clients are not obligated to pay expenses if a recovery is not made.
