Dredge work is among the most dangerous jobs in the maritime industry. Dredge workers face constant hazards from heavy machinery, rotating cutterheads, spud systems, high-pressure pipelines, unstable decks, and round-the-clock operations in rivers, channels, ports, and offshore waters. When a dredge worker is injured, the legal analysis is highly specialized—and the outcome often turns on whether the worker qualifies as a seaman under the Jones Act or is covered by the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA).
We represent injured dredge workers throughout the Texas Gulf Coast, inland waterways, ports, and ship channels, including claims arising on cutter suction dredges, hopper dredges, clamshell dredges, and pipeline dredges. These cases often involve serious injuries such as amputations, crush injuries, spinal trauma, head injuries, burns, and wrongful death. Employers and dredging contractors frequently dispute worker status, vessel ownership, and liability in an effort to limit recovery—making experienced maritime counsel essential from the outset.
Dredge worker injury cases commonly fall under federal maritime law, not standard workers’ compensation. Depending on job duties and connection to the dredge vessel, an injured worker may have the right to pursue:
•Jones Act negligence claims for unsafe work practices, inadequate crew, defective equipment, or poor vessel maintenance
•Maintenance and Cure benefits for medical care and living expenses
•LHWCA benefits for harbor and near-shore dredge workers
•§905(b) vessel negligence claims against dredge owners or third-party vessel operators
Dredging operations are often conducted by layered contractors, joint ventures, or government-linked entities, creating complex liability questions involving vessel ownership, operational control, and safety responsibility. At Gilman & Allison, LLP, we understand dredge operations, maritime regulations, and the tactics dredging companies use to shift blame or minimize exposure. We aggressively pursue compensation for lost wages, future earning capacity, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and long-term disability.
Get the legal help you need. Call toll-free at 888-225-5767 or contact us online to set up your initial consultation.
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