McAllen Offshore Injury Lawyers
A Hidalgo County Offshore Injury Firm with Billions Recovered for Clients
The maritime industry is one of the most important economies in Texas. Each day, the men and women who work offshore face treacherous conditions to support the economy and make an honest living for them and their loved ones. When one of these people suffer from a preventable accident, everything is at stake for them. This should never happen.
At Arnold & Itkin LLP, our McAllen offshore injury lawyers are focused on making a difference for workers suffering after a preventable accident. Time and time again, we’ve heard it before: the accident wasn’t preventable. Yet, over the years, we’ve recovered billions of dollars for clients after showing it was. We help clients recover the finances that accidents have taken away and hold companies accountable, so they don’t make even more people suffer. Call us today for help, we’re ready to talk during a free consultation.
Our Hidalgo County offshore injury lawyers are standing by to hear what happened to you at (888) 493-1629. After we listen to your story, we’ll help you decide what to do next.
Causes of Offshore Accidents
At Arnold & Itkin LLP, our team has heard large companies deny responsibility for accidents they could have prevented. When a reckless employer fails to train employees, we’ve heard them try to shift the blame. When a manufacturer makes unsafe equipment, we’ve heard them deny that it’s their fault. Yet, we’ve shown that their negligence is usually the only thing that caused an accident.
When innocent offshore workers are blamed for accidents that change their lives, they should be defended. No company should be allowed to get away with failing to provide safe workplaces, neglecting the maintenance of vessels, or blaming their employees for accidents that cause serious injuries and, in the worst cases, death.
Why Offshore Injuries Are Serious
When a person sustains an offshore injury, it isn’t something that goes away after a little time of and minimal medical treatment. Offshore work is dangerous, and the injuries workers suffer when something goes wrong are often very serious. In fact, they’re so serious that many workers face a lifetime of medical care, lost wages, and the inability to make a living as they once did.
Common offshore injuries include the following:
- Burns
- Back injuries
- Loss of a limb
- Broken bones
- Disfigurement
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Head trauma
- Crushing injuries
- Impalements
Ultimately, companies have a responsibility to protect their workers from these injuries. In a perfect world, when an injury does happen, these companies would do what’s right and provide the compensation that injured offshore workers deserve. Yet, instead of doing this, they try to shift blame and protect their profits as much as possible by paying survivors little to nothing.
The Jones Act & Recovering from Offshore Injures
In 1920, a law that would forever change the maritime industry was passed. Among other things, the Merchant Marine Act, commonly known as the Jones Act, protected offshore workers from negligence. For the first time in the history of the nation’s offshore economy, employers became accountable for financial damages their employees suffered because of their negligence. The Jones Act continues to protect workers to this day.
Damages that can be recovered by the Jones Act include:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- The cost of future care
- A loss of the ability to work
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of consortium
- And more
Offshore Injury FAQ
What Is a Jones Act Vessel & Seaman?
Simply put, a Jones Act vessel is one that operates in navigable waters between United States ports. A Jones Act vessel can be a fishing boat, cargo ship, or even an offshore oil rig.
Common Jones Act vessels include:
- Oil rigs
- Shipping vessels
- Barges
- Dredges
- Tugboats
- Fishing boats
- And more
Jones Act seamen are the people who work on these vessels and contribute to their overall function and mission. For example, an engineer who works on an offshore oil rig would be considered a Jones Act seaman because they contribute to the vessel’s mission.
What Are Common Types of Offshore Accidents?
Unfortunately, offshore work is dangerous, and accidents are a constant threat to the safety. While there are many types of offshore accidents, the most important aspect of them is liability. Since all accidents are preventable, vessel owners and employers are required to prevent them.
Common types of offshore accidents include the following:
- Diving Accidents
- Dangerous Equipment
- Barge & Dredge Explosions
- Fires
- Slip & Falls
- Crane Failures
- Explosions & Fires
- Vessel Collisions
- Lifting Accidents
Will My Company Help Me After an Offshore Accident?
While a company might promise to help injured workers after an accident, it’s important to approach them with skepticism. Often, a company will surprise an injured worker by offering a settlement. However, this seemingly generous offer is not always what it seems. Initial settlements are usually much lower than a worker deserves and, once a settlement is accepted, the injured person receiving it will not be able to pursue the compensation they really deserve. It’s always best to speak with Arnold & Itkin LLP during a free consultation before trusting a company’s settlement offer is fair.
Call Our McAllen Offshore Injury Lawyers Now at (888) 493-1629
When you call Arnold & Itkin LLP, you’re reaching out to an Hidalgo County personal injury firm that has taken on some of the largest names in the maritime industry. After the Deepwater Horizon disaster occurred, over a third of the crew turned to Arnold & Itkin LLP for help after the companies responsible for the accident refused to treat them with dignity. We investigated their case, demanded answers from the companies, and refused to allow our clients to be mistreated.
Importantly, we’re proud to be difference makers any person who turns to us. Our mission is to obtain the compensation that clients need rather than the low settlement they’re offered. If the other side isn’t being reasonable, we’ll never hesitate to take a case to trial. Turning to Arnold & Itkin LLP for help means telling the other side that their typical excuses won’t be enough.
Call us today for a free consultation of your case. Help from our offshore injury lawyers is affordable because we only collect a fee if we win your case. We’re standing by to help at (888) 493-1629.
