Working as a seaman on or near Texas Gulf Coast ports is dangerous. From the Port of Houston and Port of Corpus Christi to Galveston, Texas City, and Freeport, maritime workers face daily risks involving heavy equipment, vessel operations, and hazardous conditions.
If you were injured as a seaman at a Texas port, federal maritime law may entitle you to significant compensation—but only if you act quickly and protect your rights.
Who Qualifies as an “Injured Seaman” Under Maritime Law?
Not every maritime worker is treated the same under the law.
You may qualify as a Jones Act seaman if:
- You spend 30% or more of your time working on a vessel (or fleet of vessels)
- The vessel is in navigation
- Your work contributes to the vessel’s mission
If you qualify, you have rights far beyond typical workers’ compensation.
✅ Jones Act claims
✅ Maintenance and cure
✅ Unseaworthiness claims
Common Seaman Injuries at Texas Ports
Texas ports are among the busiest in the nation—and some of the most dangerous. We routinely see serious injuries involving:
- Crane and cargo-handling accidents
- Slips, trips, and falls on decks or docks
- Vessel collisions and allisions
- Forklift and heavy-equipment incidents
- Exposure to toxic chemicals or fuel vapors
- Falling objects during loading and unloading
These injuries often result in permanent disability, lost wages, or the inability to return offshore.
Your Employer’s Obligations After a Seaman Injury
Under maritime law, vessel owners and employers owe seamen special protection—often referred to as being “wards of admiralty.”
They may be legally required to:
- Pay maintenance (daily living expenses)
- Cover cure (medical treatment)
- Compensate for negligence under the Jones Act
- Ensure the vessel was reasonably seaworthy
🚩 Employers and insurers often try to delay, deny, or minimize these claims. Early legal representation matters.
Injured Near the Port of Houston, Galveston, or Corpus Christi?
Location matters in maritime cases.
Texas Gulf Coast ports involve:
- Federal maritime jurisdiction
- Complex employer–contractor relationships
- Vessel vs. dock liability issues
- Longshore vs. seaman classification disputes
An injury at a Texas port does not mean Texas workers’ comp applies—many cases fall squarely under federal maritime law.
Why Injured Gulf Coast Seamen Choose Maritime Attorneys
Maritime law is not general personal injury law. It is a highly specialized federal practice.
An experienced maritime attorney can:
- Correctly classify you as a seaman
- Preserve evidence before it disappears
- Prevent recorded statements that hurt your case
- Identify all available defendants
- Maximize recovery under maritime law
Talk to a Texas Gulf Coast Injured Seaman Lawyer Today
If you were injured as a seaman at a Texas Gulf Coast port, do not assume your employer is protecting your interests.
Your case may involve six- or seven-figure compensation, but maritime deadlines and defenses move fast.
📍 Serving injured seamen throughout:
- Houston Ship Channel
- Galveston
- Corpus Christi
- Texas City
- Freeport
- Port Arthur & Beaumont
⚓ Protect your rights. Protect your future.
