Maritime Lawyer Texas Guide 2025: Your Complete Legal Companion for Maritime Claims
Texas boasts one of the busiest maritime economies in the United States, thanks to its extensive Gulf Coast shoreline, major ports like Houston, Galveston, and Corpus Christi, and a robust offshore oil and gas industry. With this high level of maritime activity comes an increased risk of offshore injuries, cargo disputes, vessel collisions, and more. Whether you're a seafarer, longshoreman, vessel owner, or offshore worker, understanding your legal rights is essential. This 2025 guide explores the crucial role of maritime lawyers in Texas, the laws they work under, and how they can help you pursue justice and compensation.
The maritime industry is governed by complex laws that differ significantly from state or federal labor regulations. If you're injured or involved in a dispute on the water, a maritime attorney can help you:
File a claim under the Jones Act or other maritime statutes
Recover compensation for injuries or death
Navigate cargo and shipping litigation
Handle vessel ownership and liability issues
Deal with insurance disputes related to maritime operations
Accidents on oil rigs, supply boats, and offshore platforms can be life-changing. Maritime lawyers help injured workers recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Workers on docks and shipyards in Texas ports are covered under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA), which differs from state workers' comp laws.
Families who lose loved ones due to offshore accidents may have claims under the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA).
This allows seamen to sue their employer if injuries are caused by negligence or unseaworthy vessels.
When injuries are caused by defective equipment or tools used offshore or aboard ships, maritime attorneys can pursue product liability claims.
Texas ports are major hubs for international cargo. Disputes over cargo damage, delivery issues, or contract terms are common in admiralty law.
Protects seamen who spend a significant portion of their time working on a vessel. It allows injured workers to seek compensation beyond standard workers’ comp.
Covers injuries to dockworkers, harbor construction crews, shipbuilders, and repairers not classified as "seamen."
Includes common law principles applied to admiralty cases such as unseaworthiness, maintenance and cure, and personal injury liability.
Extends LHWCA protections to offshore oil and gas workers on fixed platforms.
Provides financial recovery for families of individuals who die more than three nautical miles from U.S. shores.
Allows vessel owners to limit their liability in maritime accidents under certain conditions.
Vessel collisions and allisions
Jack-up rig explosions
Dredging accidents
Tugboat and barge injuries
Slip and falls on decks
Crane accidents on docks
Helicopter crashes transporting workers offshore
Each of these cases may involve multiple liable parties and overlapping jurisdictions, making an experienced maritime lawyer indispensable.
Always prioritize your health. Request evacuation from offshore if needed. Retain all medical documentation.
Inform your employer or supervisor immediately. Ensure the incident is properly logged.
Take photos, record witness accounts, and document conditions. Don’t rely solely on employer reports.
Choose an attorney with a strong background in Texas maritime law.
Your lawyer will help file under the Jones Act, LHWCA, or another applicable statute. The claim may include:
Medical expenses
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Future earning potential
Your case may resolve through negotiation or proceed to federal court under admiralty jurisdiction.
Ensure the lawyer is familiar with Jones Act, LHWCA, OCSLA, and DOHSA claims.
Ask about verdicts, settlements, and case outcomes specific to Texas courts.
An attorney familiar with Texas Gulf Coast ports and maritime employers will be more effective.
Not all lawyers litigate. Choose one willing to go to court if necessary.
Most reputable maritime lawyers in Texas work on a contingency fee—you don’t pay unless you win.
A seaman injured on a jack-up rig due to faulty safety procedures received a $1.5 million Jones Act settlement.
A dockworker hit by a faulty crane load filed a claim under LHWCA and received full medical coverage and disability benefits.
An experienced deckhand sustained back injuries and won a $900,000 settlement after proving vessel unseaworthiness.
Q: How long do I have to file a maritime injury claim in Texas?
A: Generally, the statute of limitations is 3 years under federal law, but it's best to act quickly.
Q: What qualifies me as a seaman?
A: You must spend at least 30% of your work time on a navigable vessel to qualify under the Jones Act.
Q: Can I sue my employer?
A: Yes, under the Jones Act if negligence or unseaworthiness played a role in your injury.
Q: Are maritime claims handled in Texas state court?
A: Most maritime claims fall under federal admiralty jurisdiction, but some can be pursued in state court.
Q: What if I'm partially at fault?
A: Under the Jones Act, you may still recover compensation, though the amount may be reduced.
Texas is home to some of the largest ports in the nation:
Port of Houston: The second busiest port in the U.S.
Port of Galveston: Major cruise and cargo hub
Port of Corpus Christi: Leading oil export terminal
Legal issues often arise in these locations due to high traffic, international shipping, and complex labor contracts.
Employers are legally required to:
Train workers in safety protocols
Provide appropriate safety gear
Conduct regular inspections
Maintain vessel seaworthiness
Workers should:
Use safety equipment correctly
Report unsafe conditions
Follow all training and procedures
Avoid working fatigued or under the influence
Whether you’re an injured offshore worker, a cargo company facing a dispute, or a family grieving a loved one lost at sea, maritime law in Texas offers strong protections—but the legal waters can be murky. Having an experienced Texas maritime lawyer by your side can make the difference between a lost cause and a just recovery.
From federal laws like the Jones Act and DOHSA to port-specific regulations, these cases require specialized knowledge and aggressive representation. If you're dealing with a maritime legal issue in 2025, don’t go it alone.
Contact a Texas Maritime Lawyer Today
Need legal assistance? Schedule a free consultation with a licensed Texas maritime lawyer and get the expert guidance you need to secure your future.
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