Deckhand Injury Lawyer
Deckhands perform some of the most physically demanding and dangerous jobs in the maritime industry. Whether working aboard a tugboat, towboat, barge, tanker, offshore supply vessel, dredge, or cargo ship, deckhands face daily hazards from heavy equipment, shifting cargo, slippery decks, rough seas, and dangerous line handling operations. When vessel owners or employers fail to provide a reasonably safe place to work, serious injuries can occur.
At Gilman & Allison, LLP, our maritime attorneys represent injured deckhands throughout Texas and the Gulf Coast under the Jones Act, the doctrine of maintenance and cure, and other federal maritime laws. We understand the unique risks deckhands encounter and aggressively pursue the compensation our clients deserve.
What Does a Deckhand Do?
A deckhand’s responsibilities vary depending on the vessel, but commonly include:
- Line handling during docking and undocking
- Securing barges and tow configurations
- Operating winches and capstans
- Rigging and lifting cargo
- Vessel maintenance
- Cleaning and painting decks
- Standing lookout
- Loading and unloading equipment
- Operating cranes and deck machinery
- Emergency response duties
Because these tasks involve heavy machinery, moving vessels, and changing weather conditions, even a small safety failure can lead to catastrophic injuries.
Common Deckhand Injuries
Deckhands frequently suffer injuries involving:
- Back and spinal injuries
- Herniated discs
- Shoulder tears
- Knee injuries
- Slip and fall accidents
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Crush injuries
- Finger amputations
- Hand injuries
- Rope snapback injuries
- Winch and capstan accidents
- Falling cargo
- Electrocution
- Burns
- Chemical exposure
- Wrongful death
Many of these injuries require surgery, extensive rehabilitation, and months—or years—away from work.
Common Causes of Deckhand Accidents
Many deckhand injuries are entirely preventable.
Common causes include:
- Unsafe deck conditions
- Oil, grease, or water on walking surfaces
- Defective equipment
- Broken winches
- Faulty cranes
- Worn mooring lines
- Poor vessel maintenance
- Inadequate crew training
- Understaffing
- Fatigue from excessive work hours
- Improper lifting procedures
- Unsafe cargo operations
- Failure to provide proper safety equipment
- Negligent supervision
Even slight negligence by a vessel owner or employer may support a Jones Act claim.
Can an Injured Deckhand File a Jones Act Claim?
If you qualify as a seaman under federal law, you may be entitled to recover damages under the Jones Act.
A Jones Act claim allows injured deckhands to seek compensation when their employer’s negligence contributed—even slightly—to their injuries.
Unlike many workers’ compensation systems, the Jones Act allows recovery for a broader range of damages.
Depending on the circumstances, you may recover compensation for:
- Past medical expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Physical impairment
- Mental anguish
- Disfigurement
- Rehabilitation costs
Our attorneys evaluate every potential source of recovery under maritime law.
Maintenance and Cure Benefits
Regardless of fault, injured deckhands are often entitled to maintenance and cure.
Maintenance generally covers reasonable daily living expenses while recovering.
Cure requires the employer to pay necessary medical treatment until the injured mariner reaches maximum medical improvement (MMI).
When employers improperly deny maintenance and cure, additional damages—including punitive damages in appropriate cases—may be available.
Types of Deckhand Cases We Handle
Our firm represents deckhands injured aboard:
- Tugboats
- Towboats
- Inland barges
- Offshore barges
- Tankers
- Offshore supply vessels
- Anchor handling vessels
- Crew boats
- Dredges
- Cargo ships
- Container ships
- Chemical carriers
- Research vessels
- Fishing vessels
- Utility vessels
- Workboats
Whether your injury occurred on inland waterways, the Intracoastal Waterway, the Mississippi River, the Houston Ship Channel, or offshore in the Gulf of America, we can evaluate your claim.
What Should You Do After a Deckhand Injury?
If you are injured while working aboard a vessel:
- Report the injury immediately.
- Request medical treatment.
- Photograph the accident scene if possible.
- Preserve any defective equipment.
- Identify witnesses.
- Keep copies of accident reports.
- Do not assume your employer’s insurance company is protecting your interests.
- Speak with an experienced deckhand injury lawyer before signing releases or giving recorded statements.
Early legal guidance can help preserve critical evidence and protect your rights under maritime law.
Why Choose Gilman & Allison, LLP?
Maritime law differs significantly from ordinary personal injury law. Successful Jones Act and maritime cases require knowledge of federal statutes, maritime regulations, vessel operations, and industry practices.
Gilman & Allison, LLP represents injured maritime workers in claims involving:
- Jones Act negligence
- Maintenance and cure
- Unseaworthiness
- Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act claims
- Offshore accidents
- Tugboat and barge injuries
- Vessel equipment failures
- Dock and terminal accidents
- Wrongful death
- Catastrophic maritime injuries
Our attorneys are committed to helping injured deckhands pursue the compensation they deserve after serious maritime accidents.
Contact a Deckhand Injury Lawyer Today
If you were injured while working as a deckhand on a tugboat, barge, tanker, offshore vessel, or other commercial vessel, you may have important rights under federal maritime law. The sooner you speak with an experienced maritime attorney, the better your opportunity to preserve evidence and protect your claim.
Contact Gilman & Allison, LLP today for a free consultation to discuss your deckhand injury case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a deckhand sue their employer?
Yes. Many injured deckhands qualify to bring negligence claims against their employers under the Jones Act when employer negligence contributed to the injury.
What if the accident was partly my fault?
The Jones Act applies a comparative fault standard. Even if you were partially responsible, you may still recover damages, although your recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Can my employer fire me for filing a Jones Act claim?
Federal maritime law protects important legal rights, and employers cannot avoid liability simply because an injured worker asserts a valid claim. If you believe you have been retaliated against, speak with an attorney immediately.
How long do I have to file a Jones Act claim?
Most Jones Act claims must be filed within three years, although important deadlines and evidentiary issues can arise much sooner. Consulting an attorney promptly is the best way to protect your rights.