Houston Seaman Injury Lawyers

Representing Injured Seamen Nationwide from Texas & Louisiana Offices

Whatever your title, your role, and your day-to-day tasks, working as a seaman can be dangerous. Maritime work is tough but rewarding, and when accidents happen, it may be difficult to know what to do. Arnold & Itkin is here to help. Our firm protects the rights of injured seamen in U.S. and international waters, and we have a history of representing offshore workers and families after the worst maritime disasters.

After the Deepwater Horizon exploded, spilling millions of barrels of oil into the ocean, one-third of the crew turned to our attorneys. When the El Faro steamed into Hurricane Joaquin and sank, three of the lost crew members' widows came to Arnold & Itkin for help. In these and countless other maritime cases, we fought for answers and substantial recoveries that held at-fault parties accountable and helped our clients rebuild.

If you've been injured, contact a seaman injury lawyer at our firm. Your consultation is free! 
Abogados de lesiones por accidentes marítimos y en alta mar en Houston

Representing Workers Injured Offshore

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What Is a Seaman?

The term "seaman" is used to define a person who works on a vessel in navigation. To be considered a seaman under maritime law, a person must be assigned to work on a vessel or a fleet of vessels, must spend at least 30% of their time aboard the vessel, and must contribute to the vessel's function in some way. The vessel must be in operation in navigable waters, meaning it must not be permanently moored or dry-docked. Seamen may work on vessels in inland waters, such as lakes and rivers, or in the open sea.

Some of the official titles of seamen include:

  • Deckhand
  • Assistant cook
  • Second officer
  • Marine rigger
  • Supply officer
  • Engineer
  • Captain
  • Chief mate

Seamen may work on the following types of vessels:

  • Barges
  • Cruise ships
  • Offshore rigs
  • Cargo ships
  • Commercial fishing vessels
  • Tug boats
  • Yachts
  • Ferries

The jobs that seamen perform every day have the potential to be hazardous because of the heavy machinery onboard and the unruly nature of the open waters. For this reason, it is important for seamen to be aware of the laws that were created to protect them in the case of injury.

Maritime Law & Seamen Injuries

You may be unaware of the high number of offshore injuries that occur every year on board vessels such as tugboats, crew boats, and supply boats. Maritime workers throughout the Gulf of Mexico and on the high seas are subject to offshore accidents that can negate their ability to work and earn a living. Far too often, injured seamen are left with high medical bills without a primary source of income to pay them.

At Arnold & Itkin, our lawyers are passionate about helping offshore workers claim the rights available to them under maritime law. Our top-rated seaman injury attorneys can provide you with insightful counsel to help you recover from your accident physically, financially, and emotionally. Our experience has given us a comprehensive look at what it takes to fully recover from serious injuries, especially ones requiring long-term rehabilitation.

With the help of our legal team, you can file an injury claim for your accident and seek protection under the Jones Act.

Maintenance & Cure

Seamen are entitled to maintenance and cure for any on-the-job injuries. Maritime employers are required to pay injured seamen maintenance (general living expenses) to replace lost wages and cure (medical expenses) to cover medical treatment associated with their injuries. Maintenance and cure is provided on a no-fault basis, which means that the seaman does not need to prove that their injuries were caused by another's negligence. Because maintenance and cure benefits are limited, it's important to consider other sources of compensation.

Additional Compensation for Injured Seamen

In addition to maintenance and cure, an injured seaman may be entitled to compensation under the Jones Act or other applicable maritime laws. The Jones Act specifically addresses compensation for negligence and unseaworthy vessels, and if an injured seaman can prove either of those, they may be entitled to damages.

The following compensation may be available for an injured seaman under the Jones Act:

These damages go a bit further than straight maintenance and cure, and recovering a fair settlement or award can make all the difference as an injured seaman works to rebuild and move on.

Call (888) 493-1629 for a Free Consultation with Our Seaman Injury Law Firm

There are long-term costs associated with a serious injury. Hospitalization, long-term rehabilitation, in-home care, medication, emotional counseling, vocational rehabilitation, and future physical or emotional health complications are a few of the continuing costs that may plague injured seamen and his family. The attorneys from our firm have helped countless clients with life-changing injuries that must live every day with ongoing costs.

We understand the importance of every injury claim and how our work directly impacts the future of our clients. Armed with this mindset, our firm is dedicated to recovering the maximum amount of compensation available for each injury case that we take on. If you have been seriously injured working on an offshore vessel, seek help from the best personal injury lawyer right away. We will give you honest answers to your tough questions and exceptional legal support when you choose our firm to handle your case.

Contact Arnold & Itkin today for your free, confidential consultation. We fight for what's right, no matter what.

Common Questions

  • What Happens If You’re Injured While You're at Sea?

    When an accident happens at sea, what often happens is that injured offshore workers are taken back to shore for medical treatment. At the same time, their company may pressure them to sign documents waiving the worker’s rights or absolving the company of liability. However, as an offshore worker, you’re entitled to maintenance and cure, i.e. the full cost of your medical care and basic needs while you recover.

  • What’s an Offshore Injury Lawyer? Should I Hire One?

    An offshore injury lawyer focuses on handling cases for offshore workers and their families after an injury or wrongful death. They help the workers or their families recover medical costs, lost wages, and other damages resulting from the offshore accident. Most personal injury lawyers have not handled these types of cases before. If you’ve been injured at sea, you should speak with one of our Houston offshore injury attorneys at Arnold & Itkin as soon as possible, if only to learn your options from an experienced team. Your employer already has a team of highly paid lawyers advocating for them. You deserve one of your own.

  • What Types of Accidents Does an Offshore Attorney Cover?

    Offshore injury attorneys represent workers in virtually any accident that occurs at sea. Explosions, toxic exposure, equipment collapses, falls, drowning, and inadequate medical response are just a few of the accident types our Houston law firm has successfully investigated for injured clients. Offshore injury lawyers can also file claims under general maritime law, the Jones Act, the Death on the High Seas Act, and others.

  • What If I Can’t Afford an Offshore Injury Lawyer?

    You can afford a good offshore injury lawyer, no matter what. Our Houston law firm accepts cases on a contingency fee basis, which means we take no fee upfront. We cover the cost of investigation, filing, and case preparation from beginning to end and only get paid if we win the case. That means we take all the risk. As a result, everyone has access to justice.

  • What Is the Jones Act?

    The Merchant Marine Act—commonly referred to as the Jones Act—was passed in 1920. Among other things, it provides protections to offshore workers. Before the Jones Act, injured offshore workers couldn’t hold companies liable for negligence and could only seek damages for the immediate costs of their medical care and living expenses. With the Jones Act, workers can seek compensation for the full scope of damages caused by an offshore accident. Our Texas Jones Act lawyers are ready to help you do exactly that.

  • What Can I Recover with an Offshore Injury Case?

    Offshore injuries can be life-changing. When a worker is injured offshore, filing a Jones Act claim can get them compensation for lost wages, medical bills, the loss of the ability to work, and the costs of future care. Every case is unique, and understanding what you might be able to recover is vital. Call (888) 493-1629 for a free consultation.

  • Can I File Suit After a Loved One Was Killed Offshore?

    As the family member of a seaman or offshore worker, you could have a case under the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA). This law allows for the recovery of financial compensation when a family loses a loved one at sea as a result of negligence or an unseaworthy vessel. If you have a valid DOHSA case, you could seek compensation for lost wages, loss of consortium, pain and suffering, and more.

  • Can I Get Blacklisted from Work for Suing My Employer?

    No, a person cannot get blacklisted from the offshore industry for suing their employer. Company owners have spread this myth across the industry with the hope that it will deter workers from holding them accountable in court. Our Texas offshore injury firm has never seen this blacklist, and many of our clients have returned to working offshore after their cases.

  • Should I Accept My Company’s Settlement Offer?

    After an accident, workers want to believe their company will treat them right. This isn’t unreasonable. It's exactly what should happen. However, if a company offers a settlement shortly after an incident, it’s important to avoid signing or accepting without talking to an attorney. While it might seem like a company is doing the right thing, they usually aren’t. Often, settlements are much lower than a worker deserves, and they’re designed to absolve a company of liability as cheaply as possible. Speaking with our lawyers will help you decide if your settlement offer is fair, what the value of your case might really be, and if you should file a claim.
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