Open Hatch Injuries on Ships: Jones Act and Maritime Claims
An open or unguarded hatch can turn an ordinary vessel walkway into a deadly hazard. Seamen and other maritime workers routinely cross decks in darkness, rough weather, confined spaces, and rapidly changing working conditions. When a hatch is left open without adequate lighting, guardrails, safety chains, warnings, or supervision, a worker may fall into a…
Injured in a Car Wreck on Highway 146, Highway 225, or I-10?
Car accidents on Highway 146, Highway 225, and Interstate 10 can cause serious injuries in seconds. These major highways carry thousands of commuters alongside 18-wheelers, refinery traffic, chemical trucks, construction vehicles, and other commercial vehicles traveling through the Houston Ship Channel and Texas Gulf Coast industrial corridor. If you were injured in a crash on…
Cruise Ship Elevator Injuries: Water, Condensation and Sudden Movement
Cruise ship elevators carry thousands of passengers between cabins, restaurants, pools, theaters, casinos, and outdoor decks. When water collects near an elevator or the elevator suddenly drops, stops, mislevels, or closes on a passenger, an ordinary ride can result in a serious injury. Passengers aboard Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, MSC Cruises, Princess Cruises,…
I Was Burned in a Refinery Accident. Do I Have a Lawsuit?
Yes, potentially. If you suffered burns in a Texas refinery or chemical plant accident, you may have a personal injury claim against the company responsible for the fire, explosion, chemical release, defective equipment, or other unsafe condition. Your rights depend on who employed you, who controlled the work, and what caused the accident. For contractors…
I Got Hurt on a Tugboat—Do I Have a Jones Act Claim?
If you were injured while working as a crew member aboard a tugboat or towboat, you may have a claim under the Jones Act. Deckhands, tankermen, mates, engineers, captains, and other tugboat crew members may qualify as Jones Act seamen depending on their relationship to the vessel or fleet of vessels and the nature of…
Can a Seaman Sue for Unsafe Working Conditions?
Yes. A seaman may be able to sue an employer under the Jones Act when unsafe working conditions cause or contribute to an injury. Vessel owners and maritime employers have duties to provide seamen with a reasonably safe place to work. Unsafe conditions can include defective equipment, slippery decks, inadequate training, unsafe work methods, insufficient…
MSC World America Lifeguard Arrested After Alleged Sexual Contact With Minor Passenger
A lifeguard working aboard MSC World America was arrested after authorities accused him of engaging in sexual activity with a 17-year-old passenger during an August 2026 cruise. According to published reports, the 38-year-old crew member met the teenage passenger aboard the ship, exchanged phone numbers with her, and allegedly had sexual contact with her in…
Who Pays When a Longshoreman Is Injured Aboard a Ship in Texas?
When a longshoreman is injured aboard a ship, there may be more than one source of compensation. The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) generally provides benefits through the worker’s employer or its insurance carrier, while Section 905(b) of the LHWCA may allow a separate negligence claim against the vessel. That distinction is important….
Can a Longshoreman Sue a Vessel or Ship?
Yes. A longshoreman can sue a vessel or ship owner when the vessel’s negligence causes or contributes to an injury. These claims are generally brought under Section 905(b) of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), 33 U.S.C. § 905(b). This is different from a longshoreman’s workers’ compensation claim. An injured longshore worker may…
Jones Act and Longshore Act Lawyers in Texas: Protecting Injured Maritime Workers
Texas has one of the largest maritime and industrial workforces in the United States. From the Houston Ship Channel and Port Houston to Galveston, Freeport, Beaumont, Port Arthur, Corpus Christi, and Brownsville, thousands of seamen, longshoremen, dockworkers, terminal employees, and offshore workers face serious hazards every day. When a maritime worker is injured, however, determining…