Understanding Your Rights as an Injured Seaman
Working on the water is one of the toughest and most dangerous jobs in America. When seamen get hurt offshore or aboard vessels in the Gulf of Mexico, they have unique legal protections under federal maritime law—especially the Jones Act.
At Gilman & Allison, LLP, our attorneys have decades of maritime experience representing deckhands, tankermen, engineers, offshore roustabouts, and commercial fishermen who suffer injuries while working at sea. From Houston and Galveston to Corpus Christi and Port Arthur, we fight to make sure injured seamen get the compensation and medical treatment they deserve.
🧭 Frequently Asked Questions for Injured Seamen
What is the Jones Act, and how does it protect injured seamen?
The Jones Act (46 U.S.C. § 30104) gives seamen the right to sue their employer for negligence if unsafe conditions, lack of training, or equipment failures caused their injury. It also guarantees maintenance and cure—daily living expenses and medical treatment—until you reach maximum recovery.
How do I know if I qualify as a “seaman” under maritime law?
To qualify, you must spend at least 30% of your work time contributing to the function or mission of a vessel in navigation. This includes crew members on towboats, dredges, cargo ships, supply vessels, and offshore rigs operating along the Gulf Coast.
What are common causes of seaman injuries?
Common causes include slippery decks, crane accidents, unsafe vessel maintenance, lifting injuries, equipment malfunctions, and vessel collisions. Gilman & Allison investigates each accident to determine whether employer negligence or unseaworthiness played a role.
What’s the difference between “maintenance and cure” and a Jones Act claim?
- Maintenance and cure covers your basic living and medical expenses after an injury, no matter who’s at fault.
- A Jones Act claim allows you to recover additional damages—like pain, suffering, and lost future income—if your employer’s negligence contributed to your injury.
Our attorneys make sure your employer doesn’t shortchange your maintenance payments or prematurely cut off your medical care.
What if I was injured on a tugboat, barge, or offshore vessel near Texas?
You may still qualify for Jones Act protection if your vessel operated in navigable waters—even if it was docked or moored when you were injured. We handle cases for tug and towboat crews, barge hands, offshore supply workers, and commercial seamen across the Gulf Coast.
What happens if the vessel was “unseaworthy”?
A vessel is “unseaworthy” when its equipment, crew, or conditions are unsafe for their intended use. You can recover compensation if an unseaworthy condition caused your injury—even if no one was directly negligent.
How long do I have to file a Jones Act claim?
You typically have three years from the date of your injury to file a Jones Act lawsuit. However, delays can harm your case because vessel logs, crew statements, and accident reports can disappear quickly. Contact our firm right away to preserve evidence.
Can I be fired for filing a Jones Act or injury claim?
No. Retaliation against an injured seaman for asserting their legal rights is strictly prohibited. If your employer threatens or terminates you for reporting an injury, our attorneys can pursue additional damages for retaliation and lost wages.
What if I was hurt while working for a contractor or foreign-flag vessel?
Even if you were employed by a contractor, staffing agency, or foreign vessel owner, you may still have rights under the Jones Act or general maritime law. Gilman & Allison routinely handles cases involving charter vessels, dredging companies, and offshore operators throughout the Gulf.
⚓ How Gilman & Allison, LLP Helps Injured Seamen
Our team includes attorneys with real maritime experience—licensed mariners who understand how vessels operate and what can go wrong offshore. We’ve represented seamen injured off Galveston, Sabine Pass, Port Arthur, Freeport, and Corpus Christi, recovering millions for injured maritime workers.
When you hire our firm, we:
- Investigate vessel logs, maintenance reports, and Coast Guard filings.
- Work with maritime experts to prove negligence or unseaworthiness.
- Fight to recover full lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering.
- Handle all communication with your employer and insurer.
You don’t pay us unless we win your case.
⚓ Contact a Gulf Coast Seaman Injury Lawyer Today
If you’ve been hurt offshore or aboard a vessel, call Gilman & Allison, LLP for a free consultation:
Houston Office: (713) 224-6622
Corpus Christi Office: (361) 357-8365
We proudly represent injured seamen across the Texas Gulf Coast, Louisiana, and the Gulf of Mexico.
