Houston Maritime Injury Lawyer

Admiralty law, usually referred to as Houston maritime injury law, is rife with peculiarities and contradictions. These discrepancies are only visible to an expert marine accident lawyer, and we do so in every case that comes to our Houston law office.

In some marine circumstances, Houston maritime workers are at a disadvantage. They have a few benefits over typical maritime injury claims. But only a knowledgeable Houston maritime lawyer will be able to make sense of everything. Thus, if you’ve been hurt at sea and need a Houston maritime accident attorney, Patrick Daniel Law is here to help, whether you’re in Houston, Harris County, Pasadena, Baytown, or the distant suburbs.

HOUSTON MARITIME INJURY LAW

Houston is considerably more than just an aerospace and energy hub. According to a recent survey, Houston, Texas is the second-most populous city in the nation for jobs involving maritime transportation of cargo between U.S. ports. More people work in the maritime sector only in nearby New Orleans. Texas ranks third in the nation for cargo transportation between American ports when the labor force from all Texas ports is taken into account.

More than 200 private and public ports make up the Port of Houston, which annually handles more than 8200 seagoing vessels and 215,000 barges. The Houston region is home to thousands of maritime workers.

So, it should not be surprising that Houston is home to many maritime injury cases. A marine injury lawyer in Houston will frequently be needed to safeguard their rights and assist them in recovering damages that result from their maritime injury because maritime employees who are hurt at sea do not always have access to the same legal options as land-based workers.

HOUSTON MARITIME ATTORNEYS

Houston maritime attorneys are in great supply and are well-versed in maritime law, but experience is essential. Patrick Daniel, the founder and preeminent maritime accident attorney, has battled hundreds of marine injury claims and obtained sizable recoveries for his clients.

But, this procedure calls much more than just an accomplished trial lawyer. Any Houston, Texas lawyer who wants to defend marine employees must be familiar with the arduous, merciless, and unforgiving nature of the job.

WORKING AT SEA – IT’S A DIFFERENT WORLD OUT THERE

There are literally hundreds of maritime businesses in Houston, and despite their claims that they value their workers and the sacrifices they make, you can tell how much or how little they really care by one slip on a slick deck or one falling pallet of cargo in rough waves.

Don’t assume your company will treat you fairly if you are hurt at sea, and make sure your medical expenses are paid for. Several Houston maritime attorneys will be happy to point out that when an injury happens, the game completely changes. Also, there are various rules for employees who work on ships vs those who work on land.

In marine law proceedings, defendants attempt to conceal themselves behind the complexities of maritime law, hoping the injured party is unaware of them.

For instance, accidents sustained at sea are not covered by Workman’s Comp. However, because of the federal Jones Act, maritime workers now have the legal right to sue their employers for compensation. Additionally, employers are now required to maintain their vessels to ensure that they are seaworthy and safe to work on.

MARITIME LAW & ADMIRALTY LAW ARE THE SAME THING

What does maritime actually imply, then? Maritime refers to anything having to do with the sea literally. This is applicable to both military operations and commercial shipping and transportation. Admiralty law, which is also referred to as maritime law, is the body of regulations governing nautical activity.

The Law of the Sea, which regulates international trade, mineral rights, jurisdiction over coastal waters, treaties, and international relations, differs from maritime law. Admiralty disputes are more regional in scope and involve civil lawsuits, private parties, public entities, and agents of those public entities.

WHEN TO CALL A MARITIME LAWYER

When should I call a lawyer after a maritime accident? The short answer is “as soon as your ship docks in Houston.” Call or speak with an attorney as soon as you can if you have access to a cell phone or Wi-Fi while traveling and are allowed to make personal phone calls. If you utilize that time to phone an attorney, the management cannot discipline you if your ship permits employees to make personal calls!

Giving the impression that you’re a “team” player who doesn’t want to cause a commotion by threatening legal action is a common error made by employees. Protecting an image that won’t even help you in the long term may come at a significant cost. Many Houston marine workers – or former workers who are no longer able to work – wish they had phoned a lawyer as soon as possible following their accident.

Despite all the blogs and websites that try to give you advice on a do-it-yourself courtroom strategy, don’t attempt to evaluate whether you have a case worth filing on your own. Make the wise choice and contact legal counsel.

THE MERCHANT MARINE ACT / JONES ACT OF 1920

Even if you’re a U.S. citizen working for a U.S.-based corporation on a ship with a U.S. registration once you sail out of Houston and leave the national boundaries of the United States, several laws created for your protection no longer apply. Thankfully, new laws come into effect that modify or even reinstate some of those protections.

The Merchant Marine Act is one such regulation. It is a comprehensive law that contains rules controlling marine trade between US ports in international waterways. The Jones Act’s Section 27 mandates that only vessels made in the United States be used to transport goods between U.S. ports.

The rights of maritime workers are a central theme of other clauses in the Jones Act. These clauses contain, among many others:

• The vessel’s owner is required to maintain it with reasonable care to ensure its safety and seaworthiness. If a harm resulted from the owner’s negligence, the owner may be held accountable.
• If necessary, eligible sailors (formally referred to as seamen) who have contracted a sickness or were injured at sea may file a lawsuit against their employers to obtain the just compensation. The idea of a vessel’s seaworthiness is crucial because it can change the course of a case from one in which the best result would be the reimbursement of necessary costs (referred to as maintenance and cure) to one in which all of the victim’s losses are recoverable.