Houston Maritime Injury Lawyer

Maritime Injury Lawyer

TALK TO OUR ATTORNEYS ABOUT A MARITIME INJURY LAWSUIT

Maritime accidents can lead to serious injuries that may leave you too hurt to work. And when you’re not getting the paycheck your family relies on and you have expensive medical bills to pay, you may feel like you have nowhere to turn. Maritime claims are different from workers’ compensation cases. You need a Houston maritime injury lawyer to determine what benefits you are entitled to.

Maritime accidents can lead to serious injuries that may leave you too hurt to work for weeks, months, or even years. And when you’re not getting the paycheck your family relies on and you have expensive medical bills to pay, you may feel like you have nowhere to turn. Don’t give up—get in touch with Terry Bryant today.

Why Contact a Maritime Injury Lawyer?

Maritime workers aren’t given traditional workers’ compensation benefits like other types of employees. Attorneys help maritime workers find a path to get the compensation they deserve, whether it’s through the Jones Act or a third-party liability claim. If you were hurt on the job, you likely face medical bills, pain, and lost income.

Contact the accident and injury law office of Terry Bryant today to schedule a free case assessment at (713) 973-8888.

How We Can Help

When you call Terry Bryant after your maritime accident, you can count on us to:

Investigate Your Accident

We can provide an experienced Houston offshore accident attorney to handle your case. We’ll investigate your injury and determine how and why it happened. Our maritime injury lawyers have the experience to gather the evidence and build a strong claim for you.

Protect Your Rights

When you file a claim for a maritime injury, several parties may dispute your claim to avoid paying you benefits. At Terry Bryant, we’ll help make sure your rights are protected by standing up to the insurance company and other parties.

Answer Your Questions

There are many laws and regulations for the maritime industry. For example, the major difference between workers’ compensation benefits and maritime law is that maritime workers have the right to sue for compensation in the event of personal injury or wrongful death.

Why Choose Us?

We have the expertise and experience to help you get the compensation you deserve. We’re completely familiar with the Jones ActLongshore and Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act, and other maritime laws.

Terry Bryant is a former judge and is board certified in personal injury law. You need a Houston maritime accident lawyer who will fight for your legal rights.

If you need the help of a skilled Houston offshore accident attorney, contact Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law at (713) 973-8888 to discuss your case.

Cases Our Houston Maritime Injury Lawyers Have Handled

As a Houston maritime injury attorney, Terry Bryant has years of experience in this area of the law. Our team understands the complexities of maritime law, and we use our knowledge to get clients the payment they deserve. We have experience in the following:

  • Jones Act Cases
  • Offshore Drilling Accidents
  • Faulty Tugboat or Barge Equipment
  • Cruise Ship Accidents in International Waters.

Types of Maritime Workers

Many different occupations are entitled to benefits and protection provided by maritime law. Here are a few examples of people we represent in maritime injury cases:

  • Seamen
  • Deckhands
  • Engineers
  • Cooks
  • Tankermen.

What is the Jones Act?

The Jones Act is a federal law that holds employers of maritime workers responsible for paying damages to workers injured as a result of the negligence of the employer, including the negligence of a co-worker. A full range of damages are available to the injured worker, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, etc.

What is Maintenance and Cure?

Maintenance and cure requires a ship owner or maritime worker’s employer to pay for injured workers’ living expenses and medical bills while recovering from injuries sustained in the service of a vessel. If the responsible party fails to pay the proper amount of maintenance and cure, an injured maritime worker may have a separate claim for punitive damages.

Can I Sue my Maritime Employer?

Yes. Under federal maritime law, if you are a “seaman” by definition, you may take civil action in the appropriate U.S. District Court against your employer for negligence, willful misconduct, failure to uphold standards of seaworthiness or failure to properly man a ship.

If you are not a “seaman” by definition but you work in a nautical industry, you may have rights to sue for compensation under the Longshore Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.

How Do I Know Whether I Qualify for Benefits as a “Seaman”?

If you spend more than 30% of your time working on a vessel in navigation, you are normally considered a seaman and are eligible for Jones Act benefits. If you are a longshoreman, harbor worker, or other on-shore maritime employee, you may qualify for benefits under the Longshore Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.

How Do I Get Medical Benefits?

Under maritime laws, your employer is required to provide medical care if you are hurt on the job. These include:

  • Prescriptions
  • Hospital Stays
  • Medical Devices.

Living costs to be covered until the voyage is complete, whether you are on the vessel or not, include the following:

  • Grocery bills
  • Utility bills
  • Other Reasonable Living Expenses.

How Do I Report my Maritime Injury?

To protect your future rights, file a report of your injury with your employer as soon as possible after it happens. The master of the vessel is required to make an entry in the official logbook for each illness or injury to a seaman on the vessel. The master of the vessel is also required to record any death that may occur, including the cause and details concerning the seaman’s money and property.

The entry needs to be dated, with the date the incident happened. If the injury, illness, or death happened prior to the vessel’s arrival at the final port of discharge, the entry shall not be made later than 24 hours after the arrival. The master of the vessel and the chief mate, or another seaman, are required to sign the entry.

What is the Statute of Limitations on Maritime Cases?

In general, the statute of limitations for maritime cases is three years from the date of the incident. In cases involving federally-owned vessels, minors or mentally incompetent individuals, and wrongful death cases, the laws can vary. You need to consult an offshore injury lawyer for the details regarding your case.

To find out if you’re eligible, contact the accident and injury law office of Terry Bryant immediately at (713) 973-8888.

Get In Touch With A Houston Maritime Injury Lawyer

Contact Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law after your maritime injury. We’re familiar with the ins and outs of the Jones Act, Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, and other maritime laws. That knowledge and experience can make the difference in your case.

Call our office at 713-973-8888 or fill out a free initial consultation form and get help from a skilled maritime injury attorney in Houston, Texas.

Attorney Terry Bryant

Attorney Terry BryantTerry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]