Corpus Christi Maritime Injury Lawyer

Maritime workers have very dangerous jobs and need to feel protected when an accident occurs while on duty. Our Houston-based maritime injury lawyers at Morrow & Sheppard specialize in maritime law, including the Jones Act, DOHSA, and LHWCA. These lawyers can also help those injured in maritime accidents near Corpus Christi, TX. Maritime law is a body of laws, conventions, and treaties; it also helps protect workers who become injured while offshore. If you have sustained an injury during an accident at sea, contact a maritime injury lawyer for professional legal assistance. There’s much to break down; read below for a better idea.

What is the Jones Act?

The Jones Act is a federal law that was signed into law in 1920 and promotes water transportation of cargo between U.S. ports to ships that are U.S. owned, U.S. crewed, U.S. registered, and U.S. built. It was justified on national security grounds and was meant to bolster the U.S. maritime industry. The Act, in this case, protects injured maritime and offshore workers. As an injured seaman, seeking out lawyers who understand the Jones Act and other aspects of maritime law is crucial to getting your claim.

Common Types of Maritime Accidents

Various types of maritime accidents can occur, but the most common types are:

Jack-up Rig Accidents

When you work on rigs, you can face accidents such as collapses, fire, explosions, high-powered moving parts, and collapses.

Tugboat Accidents

The busiest maritime vessels are the tugboats, which come in three types: harbor, seagoing, and river. The accidents associated with these boats include mechanical breakdowns, capsizing, hazards on board, collision with other vessels, and loss of power.

Helicopter Transportation Accidents

One factor that comes into play concerning helicopter accidents is the weather. Helicopter accidents may also happen due to mechanical failure, and poor maintenance.

Dredge Accidents

Most accidents associated here are drowning and slip-ups. Statistics show that people are five times more likely to experience an accident when working in the maritime field. However, some accidents are still preventable. All employers must ensure their workers’ protection by providing a safe workplace, especially if they are working offshore.

Maintenance and Cure

The Jones Act ensures that those who work at sea and get injured in their duty, are entitled to benefits that will cover their medical bills and living expenses. When you work offshore, there are a few things to note about maintenance and cure:

• The employer doesn’t necessarily need to be at fault to receive maintenance and cure
• Even if you caused your injury, you can still file a claim
• Until you fully recover from the accident, you are entitled to continue collecting maintenance and cure benefits.