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Seaman Injury Attorneys

Arnold & Itkin Protects the Rights & recovery of offshore Workers

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

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:

  • Lost earnings
  • Medical expenses
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Emotional trauma

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.

Case Results

Check Out Our Victories

  • $29 Million The Largest Known Settlement for a Wrongful Death Offshore Kurt Arnold, Jason Itkin, and Cory Itkin successfully secured a record settlement for a single family who tragically lost a loved one. It is the largest known settlement for a death that occurred offshore. While a settlement is not an admittance of ...
  • $14 Million Jones Act Settlement Reached Two Days Before Trial Arnold & Itkin represented a seaman after he suffered a head injury on the Hercules 15 inland barge. Hercules employees tack welded a three foot pipe to the derrick and then forgot to remove it before starting drilling operations. The pipe was jarred ...
  • $11.5 Million Settlement Won for Injured Victim of Offshore Accident Arnold & Itkin obtained a settlement of $11.5 million on behalf of an offshore accident victim suffering from both physical and psychological injuries. His settlement will ensure that our client gets all the time, financial support, and stability he ...
  • $8.9 Million Settlement Achieved for Severely Injured Seaman Arnold & Itkin helped secure a settlement on behalf of a seaman who injured his head when working aboard an offshore drilling vessel. Our firm helped to recover $8.9 million on his behalf.
  • $8 Million Massive Settlement Reached Before Trial Began Our firm represented an offshore worker (a steward) who seriously injured his back in an accident. The injury prevented him from making a living. While other lawyers told him his case was only worth a few hundred thousand dollars, our attorneys knew ...
  • $7.2 Million Millions Won for Brain-Injured Client in Louisiana Arnold & Itkin recovered more than $7 million in a settlement for a severely injured Louisiana client. Our client suffered brain injury and memory issues while working on an offshore platform. The defendant settled his case during jury selection, and ...
  • $7.1 Million Concussed Worker Received a Massive Settlement after Accident Arnold & Itkin represented an offshore worker with a concussion and a herniated disk from an accident on the job. These injuries inhibited our client’s ability to make a living, requiring him to pursue a claim. His employers eventually resolved the ...
  • $6.9 Million Settlement Obtained for Family of Deceased Offshore Worker Arnold & Itkin negotiated a multi-million dollar settlement for the family of a man who died offshore. Though the defendant attempted to get away with an extremely low offer, our team obtained a settlement that was many times larger.
  • $6.6 Million Settlement Obtained for Wife & Family of Deceased Offshore Worker Arnold & Itkin helped a woman and her family get justice after her husband was killed in an incident offshore. Despite undue pressure from the defendant, our firm made sure our clients were taken care of for the rest of their lives.
  • $6.5 Million Settlement Secured for Injured Crew Member on Barge Arnold & Itkin obtained a seven-figure settlement for an offshore worker who was injured off the coast of Florida while working in needlessly dangerous conditions. His settlement will help him move forward after irreparable damage was done to his ...
See All Results

My thoughts are that I have the best. I knew I was going to win because I had them on my side. Because I had the best lawyers, that was it. That’s what I felt in my heart. They were the best, and I hired the best—and they provided for the best. They looked out for me, number one.

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