Houston Maritime Attorney

The applicability of maritime law has changed significantly since its constitutional origins. Maritime law applies in “navigable waters,” which are defined as waters that can serve “as a continued highway over which commerce is or may be carried on with other States or foreign countries.”

Essentially, this means that the body of water must be capable of carrying goods from one state or country to another. For this reason, admiralty law can apply not only to drilling rigs and oil rig accidents but also to cruise ships and recreational vessels.

Common maritime accidents that require offshore accident lawyers

Accidents and injuries are common on the job. It is a well-known fact that working offshore is dangerous and that the hazards that cause an offshore injury lurk around every corner of a drilling rig or cargo ship. Some common accidents that often fall under maritime law include:

• Slips and falls due to strewn about tools or slippery substances
• Being struck by a falling object or heavy machinery
• Getting caught in heavy machinery
• Exposure to toxic materials
• Explosions or fires

Fires can ignite at any time from sparks produced by heavy machinery igniting flammable materials in offshore environments. These materials are often in pressurized tanks that can explode and leave you with severe burns, lung damage, or worse. If you have been involved in a fire or explosion, you need a plant explosion lawyer to take on your case as quickly as possible.

These common occurrences can lead to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries that lead to paralysis, severe burns — or even death. Wrongful death damages, if pursued correctly, can include funeral expenses and recompense for loss of financial contribution and mental suffering like companionship. If your loved one died working for an organization, that organization should be held responsible to make things right.

Continue reading: Steps in a wrongful death lawsuit

Maritime law puts forth several doctrines intended to protect the passengers and crew of any vessel, drilling rig, or dock on navigable waters. Some of the statutes used by maritime lawyers to seek justice for their clients include:

• The Jones Act gives seamen a statutory right to sue their employer for personal injury. It also provides that negligence need only be present in the injury in question, and not be the proximate cause.
• The Seaman’s Right to Maintenance and Cure gives seamen the right to receive things like rent, mortgage, food, and medical expenses from their employer while recovering from an injury.
• The Death on High Seas Act guarantees that a representative of the deceased can bring a claim to court.
• The Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act was enacted to establish statutory rights for maritime employees that are not technically seamen, but work on harbors, or vessels ashore during repair. This act covers ship-repairers, builders, and breakers, as well as longshoremen and harbor construction workers.

An oil rig injury attorney with a deep understanding of maritime law can ensure that you get the compensation that you and your family are entitled to.