Longshoremen and dock workers across Texas ports—from Houston’s Bayport and Barbours Cut terminals to the docks of Galveston, Freeport, and Port Arthur—face some of the most dangerous working conditions in the country. When injuries happen, these cases are not governed by ordinary Texas personal injury law—they are controlled by federal maritime statutes, including the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA).
Understanding your rights under maritime law is critical to maximizing your recovery.
What Causes Longshore & Dock Worker Injuries in Texas Ports?
Texas ports are high-risk industrial environments involving heavy cargo operations, vessel traffic, and complex logistics. We routinely investigate injuries involving:
- Crane and gantry failures at container terminals
- Forklift and top-loader accidents
- Falling cargo or improperly secured containers
- Defective gangways, ladders, and access systems
- Vessel negligence under Section 905(b) of the LHWCA
- Exposure to hazardous chemicals or refinery byproducts
- Mooring line snap-back incidents
- Slip and fall hazards on docks and vessels
These incidents often occur at major facilities like Bayport, Barbours Cut, and the Houston Ship Channel—where overlapping responsibilities between stevedores, vessel owners, and terminal operators create complex liability issues.
Maximizing Recovery: LHWCA Benefits + Vessel Negligence Claims
Unlike standard workers’ compensation, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act provides federal benefits while still allowing injured workers to pursue third-party negligence claims—especially against vessels.
Under Section 905(b), injured longshoremen may bring claims against vessel owners for:
- Unsafe vessel conditions
- Failure to warn of hidden hazards
- Negligent turnover of the vessel
- Active control negligence during cargo operations
This framework was shaped by the U.S. Supreme Court in Scindia Steam Navigation Co. v. De Los Santos, which defines the duties vessel owners owe to longshore workers.
Why Maritime Experience Matters
These cases are won or lost on maritime-specific legal strategy, not general injury law. Key factors include:
- Identifying all liable parties (vessel, terminal, contractor)
- Preserving incident reports, safety logs, and crane data
- Understanding federal jurisdiction and maritime remedies
- Navigating LHWCA claims alongside third-party litigation
Firms with real maritime backgrounds—those who understand port operations, vessel procedures, and cargo handling—have a measurable advantage in building these cases.
Injured at a Texas Port? Take Action Immediately.
If you were injured working as a longshoreman or dock worker in Texas, time is critical. Evidence disappears quickly in port environments, and maritime claims involve strict procedural rules.
Gilman & Allison, LLP represents injured maritime workers across Houston, Texas City, Galveston, Freeport, Corpus Christi, and the Golden Triangle.