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How Much Could I Receive in a Houston Maritime Injury Claim?

How Much Could I Receive in a Houston Maritime Injury Claim?A serious injury at sea or along the Gulf Coast raises urgent questions. Medical bills pile up, time off work stretches longer than expected, and the rules that govern maritime cases look nothing like ordinary workplace claims. If you were hurt on a vessel, a rig, or a dock, you are likely wondering how much your claim could actually be worth. The honest answer depends on how the injury occurred, which laws apply to your job, and the long-term effects on your health and earning ability.

At Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner, our team explains the laws that apply to your situation so you can make informed decisions about your next steps. Call (713) 222-7211 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today.

Who Qualifies as a Maritime Worker?

Who Qualifies as a Maritime Worker?Maritime workers have federal protections under different federal laws, including the Jones Act, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), and the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA). Each covers a different category of worker, respectively:

  • seamen who spend significant time aboard a vessel;
  • workers on navigable waters who are not considered seamen; and
  • families of workers killed on the high seas.

Eligibility for each set of protections depends on job duties and location.

Common Maritime Accidents and Injuries for Workers

Workers based on offshore platforms across the Gulf of Mexico face hazards that simply do not exist on land. Injuries can occur in many ways:

  • slips and falls on wet or cluttered decks;
  • falling objects and crane accidents;
  • equipment malfunctions and machinery injuries;
  • vessel collisions and groundings;
  • rig blowouts and platform fires;
  • explosion injuries;
  • exposure to toxic chemicals;
  • crush injuries from cargo or rigging; and
  • drowning and near-drowning incidents.

Workers on supply boats, tugboats, and offshore platforms often face longer recovery times than those injured on land. The remoteness of these worksites can delay medical care, which may turn a manageable injury into a lasting condition.

What Damages Can I Recover for a Maritime Injury Under Which Law?

Our maritime attorneys regularly seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and compensation for reduced earning capacity. The specific damages available depend on which federal statute applies to your situation, the nature of your employer’s conduct, and whether the vessel or platform was unseaworthy at the time of injury.

LHWCA and Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA)

The LHWCA provides medical benefits and wage replacement, regardless of fault, for dock workers, shipbuilders, and harbor employees who are not classified as seamen. It functions as a federal counterpart to state workers’ compensation systems. For workers injured on fixed platforms on the outer continental shelf, the OCSLA extends the same LHWCA workers’ compensation framework to cover injuries on fixed offshore structures under 43 U.S.C. § 1333, including oilfield accidents in federal waters off the Texas and Louisiana coasts. In practical terms, if you were injured on a dock, shipyard, or fixed offshore platform, one of these two statutes likely governs your claim.

Jones Act Negligence Claims

Seamen covered by the Jones Act may bring a negligence claim against their employer when unsafe conditions caused their injuries. Recovery under this law can include damages that workers’ compensation programs do not provide, including:

  • full lost wages, past and future;
  • pain and suffering in the past and future;
  • mental anguish;
  • loss of enjoyment of life;
  • maintenance and cure benefits; and
  • punitive damages in cases of willful misconduct.

These claims often lead to larger recoveries than no-fault programs because they account for the full human cost of the injury, not just out-of-pocket expenses. Proof requires showing that the employer or vessel owner failed to provide a reasonably safe workplace.

DOHSA

When a maritime worker or passenger dies as a result of negligence or unseaworthiness on the high seas, meaning more than three nautical miles from the shore of any U.S. state, surviving family members can seek damages under DOHSA. These include pecuniary losses such as lost financial support, services, and the present value of future earnings the deceased would have provided.

However, DOHSA does not allow recovery for non-economic losses such as pain and suffering or loss of companionship, which is a significant limitation compared to other maritime claims. DOHSA applies most commonly in cases involving offshore platform accidents, commercial airline disasters over open water, and deaths occurring during deep-sea voyages.

Why Abraham Watkins Handles Maritime Claims Differently

Abraham Watkins has recovered billions for injury victims across Texas since 1951. Maritime cases bring a level of complexity that most firms are not equipped to handle, including federal court filings in the Southern District of Texas, multiple insurance carriers, and corporate defendants backed by significant legal resources.

We approach every maritime case with the preparation required to hold up under that kind of pressure, including:

  • independent investigations of the incident;
  • coordination with maritime medical specialists;
  • thorough knowledge of federal and state court procedures; and
  • trial-ready preparation from day one.

We believe everyone deserves access to high-quality legal representation without an upfront cost. Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we obtain recovery for you.

FAQ: Answers for Maritime Injury Victims

How Long Do I Have to File a Maritime Claim in Texas?

Deadlines vary depending on which statute applies. Jones Act and general maritime law claims must generally be filed within three years of the injury date. LHWCA claims have a one-year filing deadline and a 30-day notice requirement to report the injury to the employer and the appropriate District Director of the U.S. Department of Labor. Missing either deadline could permanently bar recovery, with limited exceptions, so it is worth getting legal advice as soon as possible after an injury.

What Happens if I’m Blamed for My Maritime Injuries?

DOHSA uses a comparative fault system, which states that partial responsibility does not eliminate a claim. If a worker is found 20% at fault, total compensation is reduced by that share rather than denied entirely. Even when fault is shared, injured workers may still recover substantial damages under federal maritime rules.

Speak With Our Houston Maritime Injury Team Today

A maritime injury can affect your physical health, income, family, and long-term future. Our team at Abraham Watkins is ready to help you apply the proper laws to your situation and pursue the compensation you may be owed. Call (713) 222-7211 or contact us online today to set up your free consultation.

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