Shipyard and drydock workers in Galveston, Texas perform some of the most physically demanding and hazardous jobs in the maritime industry. From repairing commercial vessels and offshore equipment to maintaining tugboats, barges, and cargo ships, shipyard workers are constantly exposed to heavy machinery, elevated work areas, confined spaces, and hazardous equipment.
Many of these jobs occur at shipyards and repair facilities near the Port of Galveston and throughout the Texas Gulf Coast, where vessels are routinely taken out of service for inspections, retrofits, and structural repairs.
When safety procedures fail or equipment malfunctions, the injuries can be catastrophic.
Common shipyard and drydock injuries include:
- Crane and heavy-lift accidents
- Falling equipment or unsecured loads
- Welding and explosion injuries
- Slip and falls on wet or unstable surfaces
- Confined space accidents
- Scaffolding collapses
- Electrical injuries during vessel repair
Unlike traditional workplace injury cases, maritime workers injured in shipyards or drydocks may be protected by federal maritime laws, which provide different rights and remedies than ordinary workers’ compensation claims.
Maritime Law Protections for Injured Shipyard Workers
Workers injured while repairing or maintaining vessels in Galveston may be covered under federal maritime statutes such as the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) or other maritime remedies depending on the nature of the work and the worker’s relationship to the vessel.
These laws may allow injured maritime workers to recover compensation for:
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Permanent disability benefits
- Vocational rehabilitation services
In some cases, injured shipyard workers may also have third-party liability claims against negligent contractors, vessel owners, or equipment manufacturers responsible for unsafe conditions at the worksite.
At Gilman & Allison, LLP, our attorneys have maritime backgrounds and understand the realities of working in ports, shipyards, and offshore operations along the Texas coast. Our firm represents injured maritime workers throughout Galveston, the Houston Ship Channel, and the Gulf Coast.
If you or a family member suffered a serious injury while working in a shipyard or drydock in Galveston, you may have rights under federal maritime law.
Call Gilman & Allison, LLP today for a free consultation to discuss your maritime injury claim.