Maritime Lawyer in Houston

Maritime Accident Claims under the Jones Act: Houston Maritime Lawyers Help Maximize Recoveries

If you sustain a Texas work injury or become ill while working in a maritime occupation, it is extremely important that you quickly establish a relationship with a qualified maritime lawyer. Houston’s proximity to the Gulf of Mexico means there are thousands of people in the area who work on sea-going vessels and floating oil rigs. Work at sea is particularly hazardous, and work injuries and illness are commonplace. The most important step you can take if it happens to you is to hire one of Marc Whitehead & Associates Houston maritime lawyers. Recovering benefits for maritime accidents can be complex, and trying to navigate the waters of the federal laws governing maritime injuries and illness without legal counsel is extremely difficult.

Injuries or illness at sea are not best addressed by worker’s compensation laws because these laws limit the amount of recovery to a pre-determined schedule of compensation. The Jones Act is a federal statute that governs employer liability for injuries and illness sustained by employees working either:

• on a sea-going vessel on navigable waters
• on a floating oil rig that is not permanently attached and can be towed

Under the Jones Act, an employee may pursue claims for compensation for both past and future losses based upon:

• the negligence of the employer
• the seaworthiness of the vessel
• "maintenance and cure" requirements of the Act
• liability of third party contractors

The largest awards under the Jones Act come in the area of negligence-based claims against the employer and/or third party contractors. However, aside from the Jones Act negligence claims, a seaman injured on a vessel is absolutely entitled to "maintenance and cure" benefits, regardless of who was at fault for the injury. A "maintenance" payment is a daily allowance to cover food and shelter, and the "cure" benefit is a requirement of the employer to provide medical care.

If you a Texas work injury on or near the water in a situation in which you might qualify for the Jones Act claims, contact a specialized maritime lawyer in Houston, like Marc Whitehead & Associates. You can impair your ability to recover under the Jones Act if you file the wrong claim or settle with the employer.