Maritime law has its own rules. Your lawyer needs to know which ones apply to you.

Corpus Christi is home to one of the busiest ports in the country, along with ship channel terminals, Ingleside and Harbor Island facilities, and offshore work across the Gulf. When someone is hurt on the water, Texas injury law often doesn’t apply. Federal maritime law does, and the rules are very different.

Josh Hopkins represents injured seamen, dock workers, offshore workers, and passengers, and handles every case personally.

Which Law Applies to You

Seamen — the Jones Act. If you work on a vessel in navigation and spend a substantial part of your work time aboard, you may be a “seaman.” The Jones Act lets seamen sue their employer for negligence, and the burden of proving causation is lighter than in an ordinary injury case.

Unseaworthiness. Vessel owners must provide a ship, equipment, and crew reasonably fit for their purpose. If they don’t, they can be liable even without proof of negligence.

Maintenance and cure. Injured seamen are entitled to daily living expenses and medical care until they reach maximum medical improvement, regardless of fault.

Longshore and harbor workers. Dock workers, ship repairers, and many port workers are covered by the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, and may also have claims against vessel owners and other third parties.

Passengers and recreational boaters injured on navigable waters are generally covered by general maritime law.

Common Maritime and Offshore Injuries

• Slips and falls on wet or cluttered decks
• Crane, winch, and cargo-handling accidents
• Mooring line and cable injuries
• Falls through open hatches
• Fires and explosions
• Crew boat and supply vessel collisions
• Injuries during transfers between vessels and platforms
• Recreational boating and fishing charter accidents

Why Acting Quickly Matters

Vessel operators often have accident reports written and crew statements taken within hours. Those records are prepared by the company. Seamen are often pressured to sign statements, accept company doctors, or return to work too soon. Talk to a lawyer before you sign anything.

Compensation You May Be Able To Recover

Depending on the facts, injured people and families may be able to seek compensation for:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Physical pain and mental anguish
• Physical impairment and disfigurement
• Maintenance and cure (for seamen)

How Long You Have To File

Jones Act and general maritime claims generally must be filed within three years. Other deadlines can be much shorter, including notice requirements for longshore claims and some cruise and charter ticket contracts. Don’t assume you have time.

This information is general and is not legal advice. Reading this website or contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my employer fire me for filing a claim?

Federal law protects seamen from retaliation for pursuing injury claims. If you’re worried about your job, talk to us before you decide anything.

Do I have to use the company doctor?

For maintenance and cure, seamen generally have the right to choose their own doctor.

How much does it cost?

Nothing up front. Maritime injury cases are handled on a contingency fee, so there’s no attorney’s fee unless we recover money for you. The firm advances all case expenses. They are repaid from the recovery, and if there is no recovery, you owe nothing. Fee terms are explained in writing before you sign anything.

Talk to Josh Hopkins Today

If you were hurt on a vessel, rig, dock, or boat, talk to Josh directly. Call 361-31-LAWYR (361-315-2948) or request a free case review online. Se habla español.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Josh Hopkins is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Lawyer responsible for this content: Josh Hopkins, Corpus Christi, Texas.