Injuries from maritime shipping, offshore oil drilling, boating accidents, diving accidents, and other maritime accidents are responsible for the injury of thousands of people in Texas each year. These injuries come from a broad range of possible accidents, many of which fall under special “maritime law” rather than the laws of Texas. Many of these cases are handled under federal legislation such as the Jones Act, requiring an attorney who is authorized to handle these kinds of cases.
If you or a loved one was injured in a maritime accident or suffered another offshore injury off the coast of Texas, contact the Houston offshore injury lawyers at The Queenan Law Firm today. Our attorneys may be able to take your case and fight to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries. To set up a free legal consultation, call our law offices today at (817) 476-1797.
Types of Offshore Injuries in Texas
If you were injured on a ship, in a diving accident, or while working or docking at a pier or port, you may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Offshore accidents occur in a variety of circumstances but commonly include the following types of accidents:
Barge Worker and Longshoreman Injuries
Workers on barges and other shipping vessels are at a high risk of injury from maritime accidents. Dockworkers and longshoremen who load and offload this cargo also commonly face injuries from lifting, carrying, and loading accidents. If you are injured in one of these fields, you may be able to take your case to court through maritime law and get compensation from the ship owner or your employer.
Offshore Oil Worker Injuries
If you were injured on an oil ship or offshore oil rig, you could be entitled to substantial compensation. Especially in the case of severe oil explosions, the damage may be widespread, and the oil company or rig owner might be liable to many workers and their families for the injuries suffered because of faulty blowout prevention devices or other serious instances of negligence.
Cruise Ship Accidents
Injuries on cruise ships can be severe for both workers and passengers. Even common injuries like concussions or broken bones could be made worse if you are far from land and require emergency medical transportation to shore before you can get the care you need. The ship’s crew, hospitality staff, and passengers may be entitled to compensation from the ship owner if the injuries were caused by dangerous conditions or injury from food contamination or other unreasonable dangers aboard the ship.
Diving Accidents
Recreational and professional divers face risks from dangerous or defective equipment and negligent orders or actions from ship captains and crewmembers If you were injured because of damage or defects in your gear or because a ship owner let you dive in unsafe weather or water conditions, you could be seriously injured and entitled to compensation. If you were renting the gear or undergoing training when you were injured, the equipment owners, trainers, or diving school may be liable.
Distracted Mariners
In the same way that distracted driving is one of the biggest dangers on the road, pilots and helm operators who are distracted, drowsy, or inattentive when maneuvering a ship or boat are liable to others for the injuries they cause. Boating accidents involving fishing boats, speed boats, ships, and other recreational and professional vessels are commonly handled under maritime law, especially if they occur far from shore.
Fishing Boat Injuries
Workers on fishing boats often face long days at sea. Their job tasks frequently involve physical labor involving lifting, hauling, and other demanding tasks. If you were injured while working on a fishing boat because the captain or ship owner failed to repair dangerous conditions or equipment on the ship, failed to properly train or equip you, or negligently went out into dangerous weather conditions, you may be entitled to compensation for the on-the-job injuries you suffered.
Compensation for Offshore Injuries
If you or a loved one faced offshore injuries in a maritime accident, boating accident, or on-the-job accident offshore, you could be entitled to full compensation for the injuries. The damages you suffer may involve medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. These are three of the most common areas of compensation you could be entitled to, but you may also be entitled to compensation for other harms you suffered as a result of the accident. You could also receive “punitive damages” paid to you by seriously negligent or dangerous parties to punish them for the errors they made. Talk to an attorney about what your case might be worth before accepting any compensation for the harms you suffered.
Call for a Free Legal Consultation on Compensation for Offshore Injuries in Houston
After a maritime accident or another offshore injury, you should contact an attorney for help understanding what your case might be worth and how to proceed to maximize the compensation you are entitled to. To schedule a free legal consultation with experienced Houston offshore injury lawyers, contact The Queenan Law Firm today. Our phone number is (817) 476-1797.