What Should I Do After a Maritime Accident in Houston, TX?

If you’ve been involved in a maritime accident in Houston, TX, it’s crucial that you understand your rights and the steps you should take immediately following the incident. 

Maritime accidents can occur in a variety of settings, from the Port of Houston to private recreational boating activities. Whether you’re a worker on a shipping vessel, an oil rig employee, or a passenger on a boat, maritime accidents can have severe consequences, often resulting in serious injuries or fatalities. 

Knowing how to navigate the aftermath of such accidents is essential for protecting your health and securing your legal rights. At Zehl & Associates, our undefeated Houston maritime lawyers know how to help clients through the difficult period after a personal injury.

Call our undefeated Houston, TX, maritime injury lawyers today for a free consultation at (888) 603-3636.

Table of Contents

• How Our Undefeated Houston Maritime Accident Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help You if You’ve Been Injured Offshore
• What Qualifies as a Maritime Accident?
• What Should You Do if You Were in a Maritime Accident?
• Who May Be Liable in a Houston Maritime Accident?
• What Damages Are Available in a Maritime Accident Case?
• Schedule a Free Consultation with One of Our Undefeated Houston Maritime Lawyers Today

How Our Undefeated Houston Maritime Accident Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help You if You’ve Been Injured Offshore

After a maritime accident in Houston, having the best legal representation means the difference between securing full compensation or walking away with far less. You need a team that not only knows the legal intricacies specific to maritime law and the Jones Act, but has the resources and experience to take on the largest oil and gas companies in the world — and not only win, but set records.

At Zehl & Associates, we are the best. With a track record of Billions won for offshore workers and oil rig explosion victims and their families, including the largest verdicts and settlements in maritime history, we have what it takes to hold even the biggest corporations fully accountable. 

Once hired, we stop at nothing to stand up, fight, and recover the maximum compensation you deserve — no matter what:

• We make sure you have access to the top-rated doctors and specialists in the country to treat your injuries at no up-front cost to you
• We NEVER settle for less than maximum compensation and we prepare every case for trial. If the company refuses to offer a settlement that fully compensates our clients, we will see them in the courtroom, where we remain undefeated
• We are here for you around the clock — to answer your questions, handle every detail of your case, and protect your rights — so you can focus on what matters most
• Unless we are successful with your claim and recover money on your behalf, you don’t owe us a dime 

Our team is here for you every step of the way. But don’t just take it from us — hear what our clients have to say about working with us.

To learn more about our unwavering commitment to clients and how our undefeated offshore accident attorneys can help protect your rights, schedule a free consultation today at 1-888-603-3636.

What Qualifies as a Maritime Accident?

Maritime law, also known as admiralty law, applies to accidents that occur on or near water, specifically involving the operation, maintenance, or activity of boats, ships, and other sea vessels.

These accidents can happen on commercial vessels, such as cargo ships and tankers, fishing boats, cruise ships, and even smaller personal watercrafts.

Common scenarios include collisions between vessels, falls overboard, injuries from equipment onboard, and accidents occurring during loading or unloading operations. For an incident to qualify as a maritime accident under the law, it typically must have a substantial connection to navigable waters and involve a vessel in navigation.

What Should You Do if You Were in a Maritime Accident?

If you find yourself involved in a maritime accident in Houston, TX, it’s important to take certain steps to ensure your safety and protect your legal rights:

• Seek medical attention.
• Report the accident.
• Take photographs and video.
• Get contact info from witnesses.
• Do not sign any documents.
• Consult a maritime lawyer.
• Keep track of medical treatments.

Taking these steps can help safeguard your health and legal rights following a maritime accident. If you’re unsure or overwhelmed, consulting with a maritime attorney can provide guidance tailored to your specific situation.

Who May Be Liable in a Houston Maritime Accident?

Determining liability in maritime accidents can be complex and often involves multiple parties. The liable party could be a vessel owner, an operator, or a third-party contractor. Under general maritime law and statutes like the Jones Act, employers must provide a safe working environment for their employees.

If an accident occurs due to negligence on the part of the vessel owner or another crew member, they may be held liable. Other potentially liable parties may include:

• Manufacturers of faulty equipment
• Other vessels involved in the accident
• Port authorities 

Our attorneys have the experience to identify the cause of the accident and trace it back to the liable party. 

What Damages Are Available in a Maritime Accident Case?

Victims of maritime accidents may be entitled to various types of damages, depending on the specifics of their case. These damages could include:

• Medical expenses: covers current and future medical expenses from the accident
• Lost wages: if the injury has impacted the victim’s ability to work
• Loss of earning capacity: if the victim can no longer work in the same capacity as before the accident
• Pain and suffering: covers both physical pain and emotional distress
• Punitive damages: are awarded in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior

In cases involving wrongful death, additional compensation may be available for funeral expenses and the loss of financial support for the deceased’s dependents

Schedule a Free Consultation with One of Our Undefeated Houston Maritime Lawyers Today

Having won Billions for victims of catastrophic offshore and maritime accidents, our award-winning team has the resources, knowledge, and experience to stand up to the largest oil and gas companies in the world. Our undefeated maritime accident attorneys can help you fight for the full compensation you need and deserve.

If you’ve been injured or suffered the wrongful death of a family member in a maritime accident or offshore oil rig explosion, call 1-888-603-3636 or send us a confidential email through our Contact Us form.

We’ll answer your questions, discuss your rights, and explain your options, so that you can make the best decision for you and your family.

All consultations are free and confidential, and you won’t owe us anything unless we win your case.