If you work on the water near La Porte, you face dangers that land-based workers may not encounter. When a maritime accident leaves you injured, you need a La Porte maritime injury lawyer who understands the laws that may apply to your claim. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP handles Jones Act claims, seaman injuries, and offshore accidents for workers throughout the La Porte area and beyond.
Why Choose Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP for Your Maritime Injury Claim
Maritime injury cases require focused knowledge. The attorneys at Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP bring decades of experience handling Jones Act claims and other maritime injury matters. Cesar Tavares, a partner at Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP, focuses his practice on personal injury, product liability, trucking litigation, and maritime/Jones Act cases. He has recovered millions for injured workers, including a $25 million settlement in an oil and gas incident injury case, a $14 million settlement in another oil and gas accident, and a $750,000 settlement for an offshore worker injured when an improperly stored engine part fell on his hand. He is listed in Best Lawyers in America for 2025 and on the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 list.
Alma Reyes Tavares brings extensive experience in personal injury litigation, including cases involving workplace injuries, and holds recognition as a National Trial Lawyers Top 100 attorney. She also appears on the Trucking Trial Lawyer Top 10 and Products Liability Trial Lawyer Top 25 lists. Her practice areas include personal injury matters, commercial motor vehicle crashes, defective products, dangerous premises, and workplace injuries.
The firm handles maritime cases and understands the industries involved. It works on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless compensation is recovered for you.
Understanding Maritime Injuries in La Porte
Maritime accidents can happen in many ways. Understanding the types of incidents that occur can help identify when a legal claim may exist.
Common Types of Maritime Accidents
Offshore platform incidents can cause serious injuries when equipment fails or safety protocols are not followed. Vessel collisions between ships, barges, or tugboats can throw workers overboard or cause them to strike hard surfaces. Equipment failures, from crane malfunctions to defective safety gear, injure workers every year. Slip and fall accidents on vessels can occur when decks become wet or cluttered, and employers fail to maintain safe conditions.
Who Can File a Maritime Injury Claim
Seamen working on vessels can file Jones Act claims against their employers for negligence. Longshoremen and harbor workers who load and unload cargo may have protections under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. Offshore workers on oil rigs and platforms may pursue claims under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act or the Jones Act, depending on their employment status.
Jones Act Claims and Your Rights
The Jones Act gives seamen a right that some land-based workers do not have: the ability to sue an employer for negligence. This federal law recognizes that maritime work carries unique dangers and that seamen need legal protection.
Under the Jones Act, an employer owes a duty of care. That means the employer must maintain reasonably safe working conditions, provide proper equipment, and train workers appropriately. When an employer fails in that duty, and a worker is injured, damages may be available. A worker does not need to prove that the employer intended harm, only that negligence caused the injury.
Maritime negligence standards differ from land-based negligence. Courts apply a reasonable seaman standard, asking whether a reasonable seaman would have taken the same precautions the employer failed to take. This reflects the realities of maritime work and the dangers that can arise in the industry.
Comparative negligence applies in maritime cases. If you bear some responsibility for your injury, your recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault. In many cases, recovery may still be available even if you are partially at fault.
Types of Compensation Available
Maritime injury claims can result in several types of compensation. Economic damages may cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket costs.
Non-economic damages may compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. These damages recognize that injuries can affect quality of life beyond medical bills and lost income.
Maintenance and cure benefits may provide ongoing medical care and living expenses while recovery continues. In some cases involving gross negligence, punitive damages may be available.
What to Do After a Maritime Accident
The steps taken immediately after an accident can affect both health and a legal claim.
Immediate Steps to Protect Your Claim
Seek medical attention first, even if the injury seems minor. Maritime injuries can have delayed symptoms, and medical records create important evidence. Report the incident to an employer and request a written incident report. Document the scene by taking photos or videos if possible, noting weather conditions, equipment involved, and witnesses. Preserve evidence by keeping damaged equipment, clothing, or other items related to the accident.
Why You Need an Attorney
Maritime law can be complex, and insurance companies representing employers have experienced lawyers. An attorney who understands maritime law can help protect rights against employers and insurers and pursue the compensation available under the law. Counsel can also handle communications, gather evidence, and build the claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Jones Act?
The Jones Act is a federal law that allows seamen to sue employers for negligence. Passed in 1920, it recognizes that seamen face unique dangers and need legal protection. It can allow recovery for losses such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and related damages.
How long do I have to file a maritime injury claim in Texas?
Texas law generally provides a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including maritime injury claims. That means a lawsuit is often due within three years of the injury date, though timing can vary by claim type and facts. Prompt legal review can help preserve evidence and protect deadlines.
Can I sue my employer for a maritime injury?
Yes, under the Jones Act, a seaman may sue an employer for negligence. This differs from many land-based employment claims, where workers’ compensation is often the main remedy.
What damages can I recover in a maritime accident case?
Recoverable damages may include economic damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs; non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life; maintenance and cure benefits; and, in some cases, punitive damages. The available damages depend on the injury and the circumstances of the accident.
How much does it cost to hire Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP?
The firm works on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing up front, and the firm collects a fee only if compensation is recovered.
Contact Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP for a Free Consultation
If you have suffered a maritime injury in La Porte or the surrounding area, do not face the insurance company alone. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP offers a free consultation to discuss the case. Call (713) 230-2200 today to speak with an experienced maritime injury lawyer. The firm will review your situation, explain your rights, and discuss possible next steps.