Port Arthur Maritime Lawyers

Standing Up for Injured Offshore Workers. No Matter What.

Working offshore is full of challenges, but it’s also rewarding. While this industry is inherently dangerous, the hazards associated with maritime work are known and employers have a responsibility—both legally and morally—to prevent accidents from happening. This means implementing the right safety standards, never pushing crews too far, and always making sure vessels and equipment are maintained.

Maritime workers may be at risk of suffering from:

  • Falls overboard
  • Slip and fall accidents on deck
  • Falls from heights
  • Equipment malfunction
  • Fires and explosions
  • Chemical burns
  • Loading and docking accidents
  • Heavy machinery accidents

When employers fail to protect their workers out at sea, our Port Arthur maritime lawyers are ready to hold them accountable. When the crew of the Deepwater Horizon needed help, we stood up to some of the most powerful offshore companies to make sure they got it. When families were grieving after their loved ones were killed on the El Faro, we refused to let the company escape accountability. Now, we’re ready to show you how we can help you fight for the better future you deserve after suffering so much.

Call our leading Port Arthur maritime lawyers today at (888) 493-1629 for a free, private consultation. If we take your case, you’ll only pay us if we secure results for you.

Maritime Accidents

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Protecting Maritime Workers Under the Jones Act

A century after it was passed, the Jones Act, also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, continues to be one of the most important laws for offshore workers. Not only does the Jones Act hold negligent employers accountable for preventable accidents, but it helps workers recover from them. Importantly, it also helps to ensure that more accidents to hurt or kill others.

At Arnold & Itkin, we’re proud to be a Port Arthur Jones Act law firm that’s known for helping offshore workers get the compensation they need to move forward after an accident.

WHO IS COVERED BY THE JONES ACT?

The Jones Act covers any worker who contributes to the function or mission of an American vessel in navigable waters. To be considered a Jones Act seaman, a worker needs to spend at least one-third of their time on the vessel and contributing to its mission. This may include captains, mates, engineers, deckhands, fishermen, sailors, or others who work on fishing vessels, barges, tugboats, dive boats, supply boats, cruise ships, crew boats, dredgers, pile drivers, and offshore oil platform service boats. Notably, the Jones Act also applies to vessels such as jack-up oil rigs, semisubmersible rigs, drilling ships, barges, and more.

IS THE JONES ACT THE SAME AS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION?

No. In the past, injured workers could receive compensation for their wages, boarding, and the cost of medical care until they reached maximum recovery. This is traditionally known as maintenance and cure. However, maintenance and cure failed to provide compensation for the complete scope of a worker’s injuries—that’s where the Jones Act comes in. Using the Jones Act, a worker can seek compensation for the full extent of their losses as long as their accident was caused by the negligence of another party. In other words, it covers much more than a portion of a person’s wages and their medical care. Under the Jones Act, a worker can secure compensation for things such as medical debt, lost wages, the cost of future care, pain and suffering, and the lost ability to work.

HOW MUCH DOES HIRING A JONES ACT LAWYER IN PORT ARTHUR COST?

Hiring a Port Arthur Jones Act lawyer from our firm costs nothing upfront. We only collect a payment if we secure results for our clients. Importantly, we cover all costs associated with a person’s case. From court fees to investigative expenses, our clients don’t have to be worried about the financial burden of their case. We do this because it makes our services attainable and stress-free.

When Maritime Workers Need Help, They Deserve Arnold & Itkin

At Arnold & Itkin, we’ve earned a reputation for getting the results that offshore workers need, no matter how difficult the challenge. As experienced maritime lawyers, we’re prepared to handle the complexities of cases involving offshore accidents and large companies. Since we’re committed to helping our clients rebuild, we never back down from the fight.

A few of our notable maritime cases include:

  • We represented over one-third of the Deepwater Horizon crew and secured the results they needed after surviving one of the worst maritime disasters in U.S. history
  • Our team represented three widows who lost their husbands after the El Faro was recklessly sent into a storm and sunk.
  • We secured $29 million for a family grieving the loss of a loved one after an offshore accident—the largest known settlement for a maritime wrongful death.
  • When a worker was injured on an inland barge, we secured a $14 million Jones Act settlement on their behalf just two days before trial was supposed to begin.
  • We’ve recovered hundreds of settlements and verdicts of $1 million or more for injured seamen, their families, and people who’ve lost a loved one out at sea.

Injuries sustained by offshore workers are often more than scrapes and bruises that will heal in days. They often require extensive medical treatment, are incredibly painful, and frequently mean the person who has them won’t be able to work as the once did. At Arnold & Itkin, our mission is to make sure injured workers have the compensation they need from the parties that caused them to lose so much.

Fighting for what’s right means helping people rebuild their lives. That’s exactly what makes every case personal to us. We’re ready for the challenge because offshore workers deserve a team that will be there for them, no matter what.

Get Help from a Port Arthur Maritime Law Firm Recognized for Results

Maritime law isn’t simple. After an accident, applying it can be difficult because the companies involved with one are often powerful, wealthy, and have an army of lawyers ready to make excuses for what happened. Our firm has the resources to stand up against these tactics. Importantly, we also have the fight to never give up—even when the other side is doing everything it can to escape responsibility.

We’ve handled cases involving significant maritime laws including:

We’ve even fought the attempts of ship owners that try to use the Limitation of Liability Act to protect their interests at the cost of grieving families. In short, we’ve seen the other side’s tactics, we know how to fight them, and we’re ready to help you today.

Call us today at (888) 493-1629 for a free consultation with our Port Arthur maritime law firm to find out how we can fight for the recovery that you need to rebuild your life.

Common Questions

  • What Steps Should I Follow After a Maritime Injury?

    Injured workers should first seek medical treatment. Importantly, a person has the right to choose the right to choose their doctor. If your company sends you to their doctor, be cautious about what you say to them as they might not have your best interests in mind. Next, you should report the accident to your company or manager if they don’t know what happened. If possible, take photos of your injuries, the scene of the accident, and anything else that contributed to your injuries. Finally, never admit fault or accept a settlement before speaking with a lawyer. Often, workers blame themselves for accidents. Yet, they’re usually not to blame for them.
  • What Do Maritime Lawyers Help With?

    A maritime lawyer should be focused on helping an injured party or the family of a person who passed away secure the financial security they need to overcome the challenges of their situation. This includes getting compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, funeral expenses, and any other type of damage caused by an offshore accident. Ultimately, maritime injury lawyers are focused on being the advocates that injured workers and their families need during the most difficult moments of their lives.
  • Is Hiring an Attorney with Maritime Law Experience Important?

    Yes, hiring a lawyer familiar with maritime law is important. Offshore laws are unique and come from decades or, in some cases, centuries of history. At Arnold & Itkin, you’re getting a team that has extensive maritime experience, cares about clients, and has a history of significant results. Our results have happened thanks to our commitment to clients, and you can be certain that your case will receive this same level of commitment if we take it on.
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