Seamen and offshore workers face dangerous conditions every day at ports along the Texas coast. From the Port of Houston to Corpus Christi, Galveston, and Beaumont/Port Arthur, maritime employees load and unload cargo, operate vessels, and perform essential work to keep our economy moving. Unfortunately, when negligence or unsafe conditions cause an injury, workers often need more than standard workers’ compensation — they may have the right to file a Jones Act claim.
At Gilman & Allison, LLP, our attorneys are former U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine Officers with decades of maritime law experience. We represent seamen and their families in claims under the Jones Act and general maritime law.
What Is the Jones Act?
The Jones Act (46 U.S.C. § 30104) is a federal law that protects injured seamen. Unlike land-based workers covered by state workers’ compensation, seamen have the right to sue their employer directly if their injury was caused by:
- Negligence by the vessel owner or crew
- Unsafe working conditions aboard the vessel
- Improper training or inadequate crew
- Defective or poorly maintained equipment
The Jones Act also requires vessel owners to provide maintenance and cure (daily living expenses and medical care) to injured seamen, regardless of fault.
Who Qualifies as a Seaman?
Not every maritime worker qualifies under the Jones Act. To file a claim, you generally must:
- Spend at least 30% of your work time aboard a vessel in navigation
- Contribute to the function or mission of the vessel
- Be employed by the vessel owner or operator
This includes crew members, deckhands, engineers, tankermen, and other seamen working on ships, tugboats, barges, and offshore supply vessels at Texas ports.
What Compensation Is Available Under the Jones Act?
A successful Jones Act claim may provide compensation for:
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Medical expenses and rehabilitation
- Pain and suffering
- Disability or disfigurement damages
- Loss of household services and quality of life
Why Texas Ports Are High-Risk for Seamen
Texas ports handle millions of tons of cargo annually — including oil, chemicals, and containers. With constant vessel traffic, dangerous cargo handling, and heavy machinery, accidents are common. Injuries at ports like Barbours Cut, Bayport, Galveston Terminals, and the Corpus Christi Ship Channel often lead to serious Jones Act claims.
Why Choose Gilman & Allison, LLP?
Not every personal injury firm understands maritime law. Our attorneys have unique backgrounds as licensed Coast Guard Merchant Marine Officers and trial lawyers. We know how to navigate the Jones Act, LHWCA, and general maritime law to protect injured seamen.
We’ve represented maritime workers injured at ports across the Gulf Coast and have the courtroom experience to take on large shipping companies and their insurers.
Contact Our Jones Act Lawyers in Houston & Corpus Christi
If you were injured while working as a seaman at a Texas port, you may have a Jones Act claim. Don’t leave your rights in the hands of your employer or their insurance company. Our attorneys fight for seamen across Houston, Galveston, Corpus Christi, Beaumont, and Port Arthur.
📞 Call (713) 224-6622 (Houston) or (361) 357-8365 (Corpus Christi) today for a free, no-commitment consultation.