Right here in our own backyard of Houston, Texas, we are home to the largest port on the Gulf Coast. This port has been a monumental part of the city of Houston’s development of international trade and commerce. Its multi-billion dollar petrochemical complex, the largest in the nation, services the entire world.
The Port of Houston has supported the creation of roughly 1.35 million jobs in Texas and 3.2 million jobs nationwide. The economic activity can total up to $339 billion in Texas alone, which makes up roughly 20 percent of Texas’ total GDP and $801.9 billion in economic impact across the entire nation.
Offshore and port workers are noble and brave to put their lives at risk every day in order to provide for their families and build the economy. Enduring a career in this type of workplace can present major health and safety challenges involving water, weather, and heavy machinery. Along with these conditions, workers are exposed to a wide range of toxins and flammable materials in the petrochemical process.
Here are some of the most common offshore accident injuries:
Eye Injuries
Amputations
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Crush Injuries
Spinal Cord Injuries
Ear Injuries
Burns
Back Trauma
Toxic Inhalation
Wrongful Death
Thankfully, there are laws governing maritime offshore accidents to protect those workers and families who risk their lives everyday. The Jones Act is an act that provides for the promotion and maintenance of the American merchant Marine. Under the Jones Act, someone who has been injured on the job, specifically in an offshore or maritime environment, may bring action to seek financial compensation in a federal district court or in a state court. Most maritime law cases aren’t heard by juries, but under this law you would have that right.
In addition to the Jones Act, dock and harbor workers may qualify for coverage under the “Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)” It is important to distinguish between the two statuses of work that are incorporated into a port. LHWCA applies specifically to land-based maritime professionals such as dock and harbor workers, shipbuilders, shipbreakers and ship repairers. Both Acts require that your job takes place in or around navigable waters.
No matter the type of work surrounding the Port of Houston, our Offshore Injury Lawyers at Kherkher Garcia, LLP are experts in Maritime Law. We are committed to pursuing maximum compensation for your case if you or someone you know has been injured offshore. We aggressively hold negligent offshore employers responsible for unsafe work practices in this environment.
Contact our law office if you need support after an offshore injury as soon as it is safe to do so. Maritime injury claims must be filed within three years of the incident that caused the injury due to these specific statutes of limitations. We are with you all the way.
