Houston Maritime Accident Attorneys
If you were hurt at sea, we’ll chart your course forward
Houston’s maritime industry is iconic, and seamen and offshore workers are part of the fabric of what makes our city great. Those workers are also at risk of injury every time they go out on the water. That’s why maritime or admiralty law provides them with recourse for work-related injuries – but getting the compensation you need for those losses can be exceptionally challenging. That’s where an experienced Houston maritime injury attorney can make a dramatic difference.
If you’ve been injured working in the maritime industry in Houston, or if you lost a loved one in a maritime accident, you need a proven and experienced fighter on your side. You need the injury attorneys at Smith & Hassler. Don’t go it alone. Schedule your free consultation today.
Maritime workers have rights guaranteed by law. We can protect them.
Admiralty law governs any accidents that occur on “navigable waters” (that is, rivers and the ocean) as well as in harbors and on docks. Depending on the circumstances of your injury, your case may be governed by the:
- Jones Act
- Death on the High Seas Act
- Limitation of Liability Act
- Longshoreman & Harbor Workers Compensation Act
- General maritime law
Maritime injuries are often devastating, both because of the circumstances – explosions, collisions between large vessels, and so on – and because access to medical care at sea is limited. That’s why vessel owners are legally required to reimburse their employees’ losses whenever they become sick or injured. Injured seamen are entitled to “maintenance and cure,” which respectively refer to day-to-day living expenses and medical costs until they are fit for duty. Families who have lost loved ones at sea likewise have recourse for their losses.
If there are ongoing costs from a catastrophic injury, such as lost future wages and extensive medical care, the injured seaman is entitled to compensation for those costs, too. You have the legal right to choose your doctor and to undergo reasonable and necessary medical treatment, regardless of fault for the accident. An employer or insurance company shouldn’t downplay your injuries to protect their bottom line. An experienced maritime injury lawyer will fight for the full compensation you need for your treatment.
We hold negligent maritime companies accountable
Maritime companies are often large and powerful businesses, and they have well-honed methods to protect their bottom line. Often, after a seaman is injured, they will be immediately pressured to sign a release or agreement that will compromise their right to sue. Evidence disappears quickly at sea, and any confusion regarding what happened will be turned to the employer’s advantage. We have the experience and resources needed to push back against their tactics and protect your rights to recovery.
Our attorneys will launch a full investigation to find out what happened and why. We know maritime law inside and out, and we will build a strong case for the full amount of compensation you are entitled to receive. We represent injured maritime workers on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t owe us a cent unless we win your case. You’ve been hurt, and the last thing you need is another bill. Your legal rights shouldn’t depend on your ability to pay.
It’s important to speak with an experienced maritime injury attorney quickly, before evidence disappears and legal deadlines expire. The sooner you get us involved, the more effectively we can protect your rights. Contact us today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.