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 Houston Jones Act attorneys represent injured deckhands, engineers, mates, captains, offshore workers, and maritime professionals throughout the Gulf Coast. We understand the unique dangers of maritime work and the aggressive tactics shipping companies use to minimize or deny valid claims.
If you were injured at sea, the Jones Act may be your strongest legal protection.
What Is the Jones Act?
The Jones Act is a federal law that allows injured seamen to sue their employer for negligence. Unlike standard workers’ compensation systems, the Jones Act gives injured crew members the right to bring a lawsuit directly against the company responsible for their injury.
To qualify under the Jones Act, you must:
- Be a “seaman” under maritime law
- Spend a significant portion of your work time aboard a vessel in navigation
- Contribute to the mission or function of the vessel
This includes workers on:
- Offshore supply vessels
- Tugboats and barges
- Cargo ships and tankers
- Fishing vessels
- Dredges
- Drill ships and rigs
How the Jones Act Helps Injured Crew Members
The Jones Act is powerful because it provides remedies that go far beyond basic medical care. If your employer’s negligence played any role, even a small one, in causing your injury, you may recover:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Physical impairment
- Disfigurement
The burden of proof is lower than in ordinary personal injury cases. You only need to show that your employer’s negligence contributed to your injury in some way.
Common examples of Jones Act negligence include:
- Unsafe decks or slippery surfaces
- Improper training or supervision
- Faulty or poorly maintained equipment
- Overworking fatigued crew
- Inadequate crew size
- Failure to follow safety procedures
Maintenance and Cure: Immediate Benefits for Injured Seamen
Separate from the Jones Act, maritime law requires your employer to provide maintenance and cure, regardless of fault.
Maintenance and cure includes:
- Payment for medical treatment
- Daily living expenses while you recover
- Coverage until you reach maximum medical improvement
If your employer delays, denies, or terminates these benefits improperly, they may be liable for:
- Additional damages
- Attorney’s fees
- Punitive damages
This is one area where having an experienced Houston Jones Act attorney is critical.
Why Jones Act Cases Are Different
Jones Act claims are not ordinary injury cases. They involve:
- Federal maritime law
- Specialized defenses by shipping companies
- Complex jurisdiction and venue rules
- Medical and vocational experts
- Vessel ownership and employer identity disputes
Large maritime companies and their insurers move quickly to control injured workers after an accident. They often:
- Push recorded statements
- Send investigators to hospitals
- Offer quick, undervalued settlements
- Attempt to blame the injured worker
You should never assume the company is acting in your best interest.
How Our Houston Jones Act Attorneys Help
At Gilman & Allison, LLP, our attorneys focus heavily on maritime injury law and understand the realities of working on the water. We represent injured seamen across Houston, Galveston, the Ship Channel, Corpus Christi, and the entire Gulf Coast.
We help by:
- Determining whether you qualify as a Jones Act seaman
- Preserving critical evidence
- Identifying all responsible parties
- Protecting your maintenance and cure rights
- Calculating the full value of your claim
- Litigating aggressively in federal court when necessary
Our firm handles cases involving:
- Offshore injuries
- Vessel collisions
- Equipment failures
- Man overboard incidents
- Fires and explosions
- Slip and fall injuries on deck
- Crane and cargo accidents
Why Choose a Houston-Based Jones Act Lawyer?
Houston is the heart of maritime commerce in Texas. The Port of Houston, the Houston Ship Channel, and the offshore energy industry make this region one of the busiest maritime corridors in the country.
Having a Houston Jones Act attorney matters because:
- We understand local maritime operations
- We know the federal courts that handle maritime cases
- We are familiar with vessel operators, terminal operators, and offshore contractors
- We can respond quickly when evidence and witnesses are local
Do Not Wait to Protect Your Rights
Maritime injury claims are time-sensitive. Evidence disappears, vessels move, and companies build their defense immediately after an incident. The sooner you speak with an experienced Jones Act attorney, the stronger your case can be.
At Gilman & Allison, LLP, we offer:
- Free consultations
- No fees unless we recover compensation
- Direct access to maritime trial attorneys
Talk to a Houston Jones Act Attorney Today
If you were injured while working aboard a vessel, the Jones Act may provide the compensation and protection you deserve. Do not let the company decide what your claim is worth.
📞 Call Gilman & Allison, LLP at (713) 224-6622
📍 Serving Houston, Galveston, and the entire Texas Gulf Coast
Your job is dangerous. Your legal representation should be strong.