Brownsville Maritime Injury Claims: Your Rights Under Federal Maritime Law in Texas

The Port of Brownsville is a busy shipping hub employing thousands to work on the docks or aboard vessels. These employees face a daily risk of injury that most Texans never think about, from traumatic brain injuries to limb amputations. Workers can suddenly find themselves severely injured, unable to work, and unsure where to turn for help.

The Texas maritime accident attorneys at Carabin Shaw help injured workers get the compensation they deserve. We protect your rights, investigate your accident, and guide you in filing the appropriate injury claims for your case. Our expert team is available 24/7 to provide free consultations in English or Spanish. Call us toll-free now at 1-800-862-1260 or contact us online.

Maritime workers injured on the job have the right to compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and related losses. However, it can be challenging to know where to pursue compensation without the expert guidance of a Brownsville maritime injury lawyer. Compensation options might include:

All seamen injured at sea have the right to maintenance and cure from their employers, regardless of who was at fault. Maintenance covers daily living expenses while an employee is out of work. Cure is compensation for medical costs incurred.

Maintenance and cure must be paid to employees until they are fit for duty once again or until additional medical treatment is no longer beneficial. Your attorney can help you file for maintenance and cure to ensure you receive all the compensation you are entitled to.

The Jones Act is a federal law also known as the Merchant Mariners Act. The law holds maritime employers liable for an employee’s work-related injuries incurred while working on a vessel. To qualify for compensation under the Jones Act, employees must spend at least 30% of their working time onboard a vessel owned by a US company. Your lawyer can help determine whether you qualify for compensation under the Jones Act.

To collect compensation, your Jones Act lawyer in Brownsville must also show that some negligence occurred by the employer or other employees of the company. However, maritime injury cases follow a “featherweight causation” standard, which requires a lesser degree of negligence to hold employers liable than a personal injury claim.

Land-based workers who aren’t considered seamen, such as longshoremen and harbor workers, are covered under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). Your offshore injury lawyer must show the accident occurred on navigable waters or adjacent to navigable waters, such as a dock or pier.

LHWCA provides reimbursement for medical care, wage replacement, and vocational rehabilitation. Although it operates similarly to Texas workers’ compensation insurance, it typically provides higher compensation than workers’ comp. However, your employer can dispute your claim or the severity of your injury, so it helps to have an experienced maritime attorney to protect your compensation rights.

Maritime injury claims are often more complex than claims for land-based injuries. While filing a claim may seem straightforward, employees need to know where to file and how much compensation they are entitled to. Your lawyer will gather evidence to build a strong injury case on your behalf and guide you through the proper channels as smoothly as possible.

At Carabin Shaw, we understand how frustrating it can be to navigate the legal system while you are in pain and overwhelmed with the aftermath of your accident. We focus on the details of your case so you can focus on your recovery. Check out our client reviews to see how we have helped victims in similar circumstances get the compensation they deserve.

If you were injured on the job in South Texas, get the legal help you need today. Carabin Shaw’s expert attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we win your case. We will help you navigate the complexities of maritime law to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. We are available now at 1-800-862-1260 or contact us online.

For more information:

• Cornell Law School - maintenance and cure
• Cornell Law School - Jones Act
• U.S. Department of Labor