The Port of Houston is one of the busiest ports in the United States, handling millions of tons of cargo every year. With that volume comes risk. Longshoremen, dock workers, stevedores, and terminal workers face daily exposure to heavy machinery, container operations, forklifts, cranes, vessels, and hazardous cargo. When an injury occurs, the legal rights of a longshoreman are very different from standard Texas workers’ compensation claims.
If you were injured while working at the Houston docks, you may be entitled to significant benefits and compensation under federal maritime law, including the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) and, in some cases, third-party vessel claims under Section 905(b).
Common Longshoreman Injuries at the Port of Houston
Longshore injuries often occur suddenly and can be life-altering. Common accidents at Houston-area terminals include:
- Forklift and heavy-equipment collisions
- Crane failures or dropped loads
- Container stack collapses
- Slip and falls on wet or oily decks
- Struck-by incidents involving cargo or gear
- Vessel access accidents (gangways and ladders)
- Repetitive-stress and overuse injuries
- Fatal accidents during loading or unloading operations
These injuries frequently result in surgeries, permanent disability, or inability to return to dock work.
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)
Most dock workers injured at the Port of Houston are covered by the LHWCA, a federal statute that provides benefits regardless of fault.
LHWCA Benefits May Include:
- Medical treatment with no out-of-pocket costs
- Temporary total disability payments
- Permanent partial or total disability benefits
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Death benefits for surviving family members
However, insurance carriers and employers often dispute coverage, minimize injuries, or push workers back to duty too early. These claims are not handled like Texas workers’ comp—and mistakes can be costly.
Can You Sue for a Longshore Injury?
In many Houston dock injury cases, yes.
Under 33 U.S.C. § 905(b), an injured longshoreman may bring a third-party negligence claim against a vessel owner when unsafe vessel conditions contribute to the injury. These claims can provide substantial additional compensation beyond LHWCA benefits.
Examples include:
- Unsafe vessel decks or access points
- Improper cargo stowage
- Failure to warn of hazardous conditions
- Negligent vessel operations during loading
Identifying these claims requires a maritime attorney with deep knowledge of port operations and admiralty law.
Why Houston Longshoreman Injury Claims Require a Maritime Lawyer
Houston dock injury cases are governed by federal law, handled before the U.S. Department of Labor or in federal court, and often involve multiple parties: terminal operators, vessel owners, stevedoring companies, and insurers.
Hiring a lawyer who does not regularly handle maritime cases can lead to:
- Underpaid disability ratings
- Missed third-party claims
- Improper medical treatment selection
- Permanent loss of benefits
An experienced Houston maritime injury lawyer understands:
- LHWCA litigation strategy
- Port of Houston terminal operations
- Vessel liability and maritime negligence
- How to maximize long-term benefits and settlements
What to Do After a Longshoreman Injury at the Houston Docks
If you are injured while working at a Houston-area dock or terminal:
- Report the injury immediately
- Seek medical care and document symptoms
- Do not give recorded statements without legal advice
- Avoid signing documents you do not understand
- Speak with a maritime attorney before benefits are disputed
Early legal involvement often determines whether a claim is fully protected or quietly undervalued.
Houston Longshoreman Injury Lawyers Fighting for Dock Workers
Our firm represents injured longshoremen and dock workers throughout Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast. We focus exclusively on serious injury cases under federal maritime law and understand the realities of working at the Port of Houston.
If you were injured on the docks, you do not have to navigate the system alone.
Call today for a confidential consultation.
You pay nothing unless we recover for you.
