Your Houston-Based Offshore Injury Lawyers

We Fight for Your Rights When No One Else Will

Offshore workers work on boats, barges, tankers, rigs, and other vessels. The conditions in these offshore platforms are sometimes hazardous, and accidents occur despite the safety measures. Thankfully, if you work on an offshore platform and are involved in an accident, you may be eligible for compensation under the Jones Act.

However, you will meet several hurdles if you want to file a lawsuit against your employer. Your best option in dealing with the complexities of an offshore injury claim is to work with an experienced legal team. Our Houston-based offshore injury lawyers at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law are experienced and knowledgeable in these claims and will provide you with excellent representation.

Contact us now at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 for a free and confidential case review.

Why Choose Our Houston Offshore Injury Attorneys to Represent You

At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we have been fighting for the rights of injured victims since 1985. Our lawyers are well-versed in maritime injury law, including the Jones Act. Also, we understand how the Texas legal system works and have recorded success in handling offshore injury claims.

We build solid cases for our clients and will use all our resources to fight to get you the maximum compensation. 

Our clients’ testimonials speak to our winning record, and we have won over $1 billion in total compensation. We will help you get the compensation you deserve while protecting your rights and ensuring your employer does not bully you into silence. Also, we offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis.

Call us now at (713) 973-8888 to speak with one of our Houston-based offshore injury lawyers.

What Are the Common Types of Offshore Accidents?

Working on an offshore platform like an oil rig or a vessel near Houston and the Gulf of Mexico is dangerous. You might encounter one or more of the following types of accidents:

• Offshore Oil Rig Accidents: Defective machinery and equipment can lead to accidents, fire, toxic spills, or explosions on oil rigs. These accidents sometimes trap those involved, leaving them little to no chance of escape.
• Fire and Explosions: These types of accidents are common and catastrophic. They are often caused by poorly maintained equipment, improperly stored fuel or other flammable substances, and vessel collisions.
• Offshore Drilling Accidents: Offshore drilling is pretty dangerous, and workers are often prone to accidents due to a lack of safety. Blowouts, equipment failures, and negligence are the most common cause of drilling accidents.
• Equipment Failure: As mentioned, equipment failure (broken or malfunctioning) causes offshore accidents. It could lead to employees getting electrocuted, burnt, or mutilated.
• Falls From Height: Another common accident on offshore platforms or vessels is falling from heights. This occurs from improper safety tools for employees working from heights or defective railing.
• Crush From Equipment: Employees sometimes get crushed by vehicles like forklifts or boats, resulting in catastrophic accident injuries and death.

These accidents could lead to broken bones, neck and back injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, burns, exposure to toxic chemicals, etc. If you or a loved one has been involved in any of these types of accidents, our lawyers at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law can help you get compensation.

What Should You Do After an Offshore Accident?

After an offshore accident, these steps can help you protect your legal rights and improve your chances of getting maximum compensation:

Report the Accident

Immediately after an accident, notify your employer and or the owner/operator of the rig or vessel. Your supervisor or other person in charge might investigate what caused the incident and ask you to fill out an accident report. Ensure you get a copy of the report, as it is crucial evidence for your case.

Document the Accident Scene

If you can and if it is safe to do so, take photographs and video of the accident scene. The visuals should show what caused the accident, the safety measures in place or the lack thereof, lighting, weather, and your injuries. If there is surveillance footage, ensure you get a copy.

At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we will carefully listen to the details of your case and create a winning plan to help you maximize compensation. 

Take the Statement of Witnesses

Eye witness testimony is crucial evidence for your claim. So, if your injury permits, get the recorded statement of those who witnessed the accident. If you can’t, mentally note who was there and get their account of the events later. Also, get their contact information if you need them to testify.

Get Your Employer’s or Offshore Site Owner/Operator’s Contact and Insurance Information

Ask your employer or the owner/operator of the offshore vessel or platform for their contact and insurance information. You or your Houston offshore accident attorney will need it when investigating the accident and filing your compensation claim.

Get a Complete Medical Checkup

Depending on where the accident happened, there might be medical personnel or first aid treatment. However, this should not stop you from getting a complete medical checkup, especially if you think you did not sustain serious injuries. Some injury symptoms take time, but getting a medical exam will help rule out such wounds.

If your employer has a designated medical provider, you can use them and get a second opinion from your physician. If your injuries are severe, follow the treatment plan your physician recommends. Also, keep a record of your treatment, as it will come in handy in proving your claim.

Contact a Houston Offshore Injury Lawyer

Once you’ve completed the medical checkup or have started receiving treatment for your injuries, get legal representation. Our lawyers will help you understand your legal rights and options and guide you on the compensation claim process.

When Can You File a Claim for an Offshore Injury?

Under the Jones Act, you can file a claim for compensation if the negligence of your employer, the vessel owner or operator, or another seaman caused the accident. Also, you can sue your employer if a design defect caused the accident or if their vessel was not seaworthy. Additionally, you only need to show that your employer was negligent to any degree.

Furthermore, you must meet the qualification of a seaman as stated in the Jones Act. You qualify to file a claim if you are employed by a specific ship or shipping company and spend at least 30% on ships or vessels.

Your duties must directly contribute to the ship’s functions or how it accomplishes its assigned tasks. Finally, the accident must have happened on navigable waters. The latter refers to rivers, oceans, and inland lakes shared by two or more states or linkable to other navigable bodies of water.

What Compensation Can a Houston-Based Offshore Injury Lawyer Get for You?

You can receive economic and non-economic damages if you suffer injuries in an offshore accident. Economic damages reimburse the money lost because of the accident, while non-economic damages cover non-monetary losses that are not easily quantifiable.

Your compensation will cover the following:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Living costs during recovery
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Mental anguish, physical pain, and disfigurement
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Loss of enjoyment of life, etc.

When you contact our law firm, our Houston offshore accident lawyers will advise you on the compensation you can receive.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim for an Offshore Injury?

You have three years from your accident to file a claim against your employer under the Jones Act. However, not all offshore accidents are due to your employer’s negligence. If defective equipment or machinery causes injury, you have two years to take legal action under the Texas statute of limitation for product liability cases. (*Always speak directly to an attorney to obtain the exact deadlines that apply to your potential claims.)

Our attorneys at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law will ensure your case gets filed on time while you focus on recovering from your injuries. 

Similarly, you generally have two years to file a claim if third-party negligence caused your injuries. If you do not commence an action within these time frames, your case becomes statute-barred. This means that no court in Texas will hear your case.

Your Houston-Based Offshore Injury Lawyers Answer FAQs

When offshore accident victims visit our law firm for a consultation, they have many questions about the claims process and what to expect. Some of the most frequently asked ones include the following:

Can I File a Lawsuit Against My Employer for an Offshore Injury?

Yes. You could file a lawsuit against your employer if their negligence caused the accident that injured you. You also have the right to file a claim if the vessel you were on was not seaworthy or defective.

How Much Compensation Can I Recover for My Offshore Injury?

We can’t give you a fixed amount as each case is different and determined on its merits. However, due to their severity, offshore injuries often take a long time to heal. Therefore, your compensation amount depends on the nature of your wound, recovery time, lost wages, and the total sum of your non-economic damages.

How Long Will It Take for Me to Receive Compensation?

There is no fixed time frame for when you can receive compensation. It depends on your case’s complexity and the parties’ willingness to settle. If your employer prefers to avoid a trial, you can receive a settlement within weeks or months. But if your case goes to trial, it could take years as it is subject to the court’s calendar.

Do I Need to Hire a Houston Offshore Injury Lawyer for My Case?

Not necessarily. Generally, you are not mandated to get legal representation, but you should always do so. Maritime laws are complex and hard to understand for the legally untrained. Also, your employer has a team of lawyers representing them; you will be disadvantaged taking them on alone. With legal representation, you have a team representing your interests and protecting your rights.

How Our Houston-Based Offshore Injury Lawyer Can Help You

Offshore injury cases are complex due to the diversity of laws involved. Also, determining who is at fault can sometimes be complicated. As such, we always advise victims to get legal representation.

When you hire our offshore injury attorneys in Houston, Texas, we will do the following for you:

• Investigate your case and preserve crucial evidence, including the accident report, photos and videos, and eyewitness statements
• Identify all the possible liable parties and sources of compensation
• Advise you on your legal options and the best course of action
• Write to your employer about a possible settlement to avoid litigation and negotiate with their representative
• File a lawsuit in court, handling the paperwork, discoveries and depositions, and pre-trial conferences
• Get accident reconstruction and engineering experts to testify on how the accident happened, if necessary
• Argue your case in court.

Our attorneys are always available and accessible to you during your case. We will constantly update you and present all your options while guiding you to make the best choice. Our focus is always on your best interests, and you can trust us to keep fighting until we get a favorable outcome.

Did You or a Loved One Suffer an Offshore Injury? Take Action Now!

Offshore injuries can be catastrophic, leaving you unable to work or live the life you had. If your employer’s negligence caused the accident, it is only fair that you should be compensated as allowed by the law. Our Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law team will help you hold your employer accountable and get enough compensation to help you move on with your life.

Contact us now at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 for your free no-obligation consultation. You deserve justice!