The Jones Act: How It Protects Injured Crew Members
If you are a crew member injured while working aboard a vessel, your rights are very different from those of most workers in Texas. Maritime law, not ordinary workers’ compensation law, often governs your claim. One of the most powerful protections available to injured seamen is the Jones Act. At Gilman & Allison, LLP, our…
Can You Sue Your Employer in Texas for a Work Injury?
Most injured workers believe workers’ compensation is their only option after a job accident. In Texas, that is not always true. Texas is one of the only states that allows employers to opt out of workers’ compensation coverage. When that happens, injured workers often gain powerful legal rights that do not exist in most other…
Texas Refinery Accidents: Why These Injury Claims Are Different
Refineries are some of the most dangerous workplaces in Texas. From the Houston Ship Channel to Baytown, Pasadena, Texas City, and Port Arthur, refinery workers face daily exposure to explosive materials, toxic chemicals, heavy machinery, and high-pressure systems. When an accident occurs, the injuries are often severe and life-changing. What many injured workers do not…
Top Causes of Serious Injuries in Baytown, Pasadena, and Channelview
The industrial corridor running through Baytown, Pasadena, and Channelview contains refineries, chemical plants, ports, and rail yards. These areas produce some of the most severe injury cases in Texas. Refinery Explosions and Chemical Exposure Heavy Equipment Accidents Falls from Heights Confined Space Accidents Trucking and Rail Yard Accidents Why These Cases Matter Industrial injuries often…
Injured in Texas? Insurance Is Already Working Against You.
If you have been hurt in an accident anywhere in Texas, the most important decision you make is not what doctor you see or what car shop you use. It is who protects you before the insurance company controls the narrative. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize your claim from the moment the incident occurs….
Vessel Injuries: Maritime Workers’ Rights Under Federal Law
Vessel injuries are among the most dangerous accidents faced by maritime workers. Crews working aboard tugboats, barges, dredges, cargo ships, and offshore vessels are exposed to constant hazards, including heavy machinery, unstable decks, long shifts, and harsh weather. These conditions frequently lead to serious, life-changing injuries. Common Vessel Injury Accidents Vessel injuries often result from:…
Cruise Ship Injuries Departing from Galveston: What Passengers Need to Know
Galveston is one of the busiest cruise ports on the Gulf Coast, with thousands of passengers embarking every week. While cruises are marketed as relaxing vacations, serious injuries aboard cruise ships are far more common than most passengers realize. Slippery decks, poorly maintained walkways, crowded dining areas, and unsafe shore excursions can turn a vacation…
Hurt Working the Houston Docks? Longshoreman Injury Claims Explained
Longshoremen working along the Houston Ship Channel face some of the most dangerous conditions in the maritime industry. At terminals like Bayport, Barbours Cut, City Docks, and other Houston facilities, workers are surrounded by moving containers, heavy equipment, vessel operations, and constant production pressure. When safety protocols fail, injuries are often severe and permanent. Dock…
Natural Gas Line Damage at Valero Houston Refinery
On January 6, 2026, a significant industrial incident occurred at the Valero Houston Refinery located on 95th Street when a natural gas line was damaged on refinery property at approximately 1:15 p.m. According to local reports, emergency responders were notified and refinery personnel conducted safety protocols following the damage. KHOU Initial alerts from Valero indicated…
Why Insurance Companies Rush to Settle Serious Injury Claims
After a serious injury, it is common for insurance companies to move quickly—sometimes within days of an accident—to offer a settlement. To injured victims and families facing medical bills and lost income, that speed can feel like help. In reality, early settlement offers are often a calculated strategy designed to limit long-term exposure. Understanding why…