Every year, hundreds of injuries occur in Texas waterways, including the Gulf of Mexico and Galveston Bay. Among those injured are maritime workers, seamen, fisherman, oil rig workers, and boat passengers. Injuries that occur on Texas waterways may be handled under different laws than other accident cases, making it a necessity to hire a personal injury lawyer experienced with those differences.
At the Wyly Law Firm, P.C., we understand maritime law and we represent clients who have been injured in all types of offshore accidents. Contact our office to schedule a free consultation by calling 713-574-7034 or contact us online. We can help you understand your options for financial recovery. We serve victims of personal injury throughout Texas, including Harris County, Houston, Baytown, Pasadena, Galveston, and Beaumont.
Dangerous Jobs, Serious Injuries, Significant Medical Expenses
Working on a ship or other vessel can be very dangerous. Workers are at risk for any number of injuries, from slip and falls to serious head injuries or spine injuries. To make matters worse, many employers and ship owners do not take the necessary steps to make their vessels as safe as they should be. Seamen injured on vessels often have significant future medical and rehabilitation needs.
Unfortunately, many seamen quickly settle their claim with an insurance company or take other steps that seriously prejudice their ability to be fully compensated for their injuries. That’s why it is extremely important that a seaman injured on a ship immediately contact an offshore accident attorney to protect his rights. At the Wyly Law Firm, P.C., we aggressively represent workers injured at sea. Our goal is to help you obtain maximum compensation for your injuries.
The Jones Act & Injuries to Seamen
The Merchant Marine Act of 1920 – known as the Jones Act – is a United States federal statute that is specifically responsible for regulating maritime commerce both within U.S. waters and among U.S. ports. The Jones Act was created to encourage employers to keep the working conditions on their vessels as safe as possible.
The Jones Act gives injured seamen the right to sue their employer for damages in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, instead of settling only for workers’ compensation. Vessel owners also can be sued for unseaworthiness. Injured sea workers may also be entitled to the maritime remedy of maintenance and cure, which includes the right to food, lodging, and medical services.
TThe Jones Act applies to any injury a seaman or an offshore oil drilling worker sustained on a mobile seafaring vessel while it was on a navigable waterway. Navigable waterways include both the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi River. A mobile vessel can include offshore oil drilling platforms and rigs, barges, tugboats, cruise ships and crew boats.
Contact Us
At the yly Law Firm, P.C., our law office is dedicated to standing up for the rights of injured workers and helping them secure the money they need to piece their lives back together. From our office in Houston, we’ve represented countless individuals throughout the area. We treat each client with the respect he or she deserves and respond to all initial inquiries within 24 hours. Our founder, Brad T. Wyly, advocates for his clients and provides one-on-one personalized service. To schedule a free consultation with a Houston maritime lawyer, call us 713-574-7034 or contact us online to discuss your case.
