Port Arthur Maritime Accident Claims Involving Vessel Owner Negligence | Texas Attorneys

As a major Gulf Coast industrial hub, Port Arthur, Texas, ranks among the top 20 ports in the United States by total tonnage moved. The ever-increasing cargo traffic within the network of waterways, rails, highways, and pipelines is also heightening the port’s vulnerability to accidents. A lawyer experienced in advocating for injured port workers knows how often the conditions of water vessels play a role.

Any worker interacting with water vessels depends on other parties, like vessel owners, to keep on-board operations safe. And if neglected duties cause your injuries, the Texas maritime attorneys at Carabin Shaw want the responsible people to pay. Environments involving maritime vessels can be especially dangerous, and a small error can have a high price. You or a loved one can always schedule a free consultation with us, but you can also read on to learn more about the following:

• When vessel owners are accountable for negligence
• Consequences of this negligence
• Laws that may protect you following an accident

Owners have a duty of care to the crew, dockworkers, and passengers interacting with their watercraft. If you work on a highway or bridge affected by a vessel collision, you might also be able to file a claim. For example, in the containership Dali’s collision with Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, the vessel owner faced scrutiny when it was discovered that a loose wire caused the vessel blackout that killed six highway workers.

In Port Arthur maritime accident claims, the following vessels are commonly the focus:

• Tankers, self-propelled vessels that can haul hazardous materials
• Barges, which carry bulk goods
• Tugboats
• Commercial fishing vessels
• Offshore supply vessels

For your injury case, your attorney sorts out whether the owner of the vessel is on the line and for how much.

Among the most common causes of maritime vessel accidents are collisions, grounding, and fires or explosions. Other accidents, such as those involving heavy machinery or falling hazards, are also frequent.

One key role of a Port Arthur maritime accident lawyer is linking these vessel-related issues to owner errors, such as:

• Poor maintenance
• Inadequate risk management
• Poor training or understaffing
• Ignored safety rules
• Communication issues

Your relationship to the vessel makes a difference in how your maritime injury lawyer approaches the case.

If you spend a lot of time aboard a water vessel, the Jones Act lets you sue your employer for injuries due to negligence. This is true even if a third party owned the vessel, provided you can prove that your employer was at fault.

An attorney can also file an “unseaworthiness” claim against the vessel owner, which may or may not be your employer. This claim can act in tandem with the Jones Act and doesn’t require proof of negligence, just evidence that the vessel wasn’t fit.

For land-based maritime workers, this statute mandates employers to pay no-fault compensation benefits. However, third-party vessel owners may be sued separately.

At Carabin Shaw, our law firm’s client reviews show our attention to detail for every part of your case, from ensuring you get the right medical documentation to claiming full damages.

We offer a toll-free line, 1-800-862-1260, that’s always open, with staff who can support you in Spanish or English. Your team will have local knowledge of Port Arthur’s industry and courts, as well as experience with federal maritime law. Since you pay nothing unless we win your case, there’s no downside to reaching out for your free review today!

For more information:

• Texas Department of Transportation
• National Transportation Safety Board
• Cardiff University
• Cornell Law School