Maritime & Offshore Injury Attorney

Passionate Personal Injury Lawyers in El Paso, Texas

Were you injured in a maritime accident? The Port of Houston is the busiest port in America and one of the largest in the entire world, which makes it particularly susceptible to offshore incidents. Roughly 785,000 individuals work in the Port of Houston and several more work nearby in the Gulf of Mexico as divers or workers on cargo ships and other vessels. When an accident occurs in the port or at sea, the resulting damage can be very severe.

If you or someone you love was harmed in a maritime accident, our personal injury attorneys at The Daspit Law Firm are prepared to help. Our attorneys are dedicated to fighting for the rights of the injured and we are passionate about obtaining fair and full compensation for our clients. We understand the emotional, physical, and financial setbacks that come with serious maritime injuries, which is why we want to provide you with reliable legal guidance so that you can focus on your recovery.

Call our El Paso personal injury lawyers at (832) 687-2942 to schedule a free and confidential case review for your offshore accident.

Understanding Maritime Law

When someone is injured offshore, it can sometimes be difficult to determine how best to pursue justice and compensation. Accidents that occur outside of American soil might be tricky, but it is still entirely possible to file a lawsuit against the liable party. If you or someone you love was injured offshore, you may have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit, a wrongful death lawsuit, or a claim against your workers’ compensation policy. If you are not sure which course of action is best for your situation, our El Paso firm can review your case and provide you with the legal support and guidance you need.

Applicable Maritime & Admiralty Laws

Maritime accident cases do not always adhere to the same set of laws as other personal injury cases do. Most of these laws stipulate the legal rights and responsibilities of the injured and liable parties, while others outline applicable areas of commerce.

Some of the most commonly used offshore injury laws include:

• Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) - If your spouse or family member dies at least three miles offshore, DOHSA can provide the deceased person’s dependents with the compensation they are owed. In order to claim compensation, the person’s death must have been caused by the ship owner’s negligence or by the unseaworthiness of the vessel.
• Jones Act - Injured seamen may file a lawsuits against their employers if some type of negligence or error caused their injury. The Jones Act is a part of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, and as such can help injured offshore workers seek maximum compensation.
• Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) - The laws under the LHWCA essentially act as offshore workers’ compensation laws, protecting workers from injuries regardless of fault. Through this law, workers can obtain healthcare and lost wages if they are injured on the job.
• Maintenance and Cure - Much like LHWCA, the law of Maintenance and Cure protects injured seamen regardless of how they were injured. Workers are entitled to receive the food and shelter they would have received on the ship if they hadn’t been injured, and they must receive whatever medical treatment is required.

If you or someone you love was injured while working offshore, our firm is here to help. We can work with you to determine the potential liability, file the appropriate claims, and navigate admiralty laws. Whatever you are facing, we want to provide you with the personalized legal support you need.

Contact The Daspit Law Firm to discuss your case with our El Paso personal injury attorneys.

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