Corpus Christi runs on the water. Our port is one of the busiest in the nation and a leading gateway for U.S. crude oil exports. Thousands of local workers earn their living on tugs, barges, dredges, fishing vessels, and offshore platforms.
That work is dangerous. When maritime workers get hurt, special federal laws — not ordinary Texas injury law — control their claims. The Burkett Law Firm has protected injured Coastal Bend workers since 1960. Contact us for a free case review or call 361-738-5548.
7× Offshore oil and gas workers are about seven times more likely to die on the job than the average U.S. worker | 27.1 Offshore fatalities per 100,000 workers, vs. 3.8 for all U.S. workers | $80M+ Recovered by The Burkett Law Firm for injured clients since 1960 |
Sources: CDC/BLS offshore oil & gas fatality data (2003–2010); Burkett Law Firm results | ||
Maritime Cases We Handle
- Injuries on tugboats, barges, and supply vessels
- Commercial fishing and shrimping accidents
- Offshore oil rig and platform accidents
- Dock, harbor, and shipyard injuries
- Dredging and marine construction accidents
- Deaths at sea — handled with our wrongful death attorneys
Which Maritime Law Applies to Your Injury?
Maritime claims follow different rules than a normal personal injury case. The right law depends on your job and where you were hurt:
The Jones Act
The Jones Act protects “seamen” — crew members of vessels. It lets you sue your employer for negligence. It also guarantees maintenance and cure benefits while you recover. Learn more on our Jones Act lawyer page.
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)
The LHWCA covers dock workers, harbor workers, and shipyard workers. It provides federal benefits for injuries on or near navigable waters.
General Maritime Law and Unseaworthiness
Vessel owners must keep their boats reasonably safe. If an unseaworthy condition hurt you, you may have a claim against the owner — even beyond a negligence claim.
Compensation for Injured Maritime Workers
- Medical care, now and in the future
- Maintenance and cure (for Jones Act seamen)
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Death benefits for surviving families
★★★★★ “David Burkett is an excellent person and Lawyer. Well connected and sincere, if you can get him as your attorney, you will be more than happy.” — Joe, Burkett Law Firm client
Why Injured Workers Choose The Burkett Law Firm
Maritime employers and their insurers have experienced defense lawyers. You should have experienced trial lawyers too. David Burkett has tried cases across Texas and beyond, and our firm has recovered more than $80 million for injured clients. See why clients choose us.
Common Maritime Injuries in the Coastal Bend
Maritime work injuries tend to be severe. We regularly handle:
- Crush injuries from lines, winches, and cargo
- Head and brain injuries from falls and swinging loads
- Back and spinal cord injuries from heavy lifting and deck falls
- Burns from engine room and galley accidents
- Drowning and cold-water incidents
- Repetitive stress and overuse injuries the company calls “part of the job”
Maintenance and Cure: What Injured Seamen Are Owed
If you qualify as a Jones Act seaman, your employer owes you two things from day one — no matter who was at fault:
- Maintenance: Daily living expenses while you recover ashore.
- Cure: Payment of your medical care until you reach maximum medical improvement.
Employers often underpay maintenance or cut off cure too early. Courts can punish them for doing so in bad faith. If your checks stopped or never started, call us.
What to Do After a Maritime Injury
- Report the injury to the captain or supervisor and make sure it is logged.
- Get medical care — you have the right to a doctor of your own choosing, not just the company doctor.
- Write down what happened while it is fresh, and note witnesses.
- Do not sign statements or releases the company puts in front of you.
- Call a maritime lawyer before deadlines and evidence slip away.
Why Local Maritime Counsel Matters
Maritime cases turn on details: which vessel, which waters, which contract, which law. A firm that knows the Coastal Bend waterfront starts ahead.
We have served this community since 1960. We know the port, the fleets, the companies, and the courts. We know which local doctors understand maritime injuries and how juries here see these cases. When an out-of-town insurer sends its defense team to Corpus Christi, they are playing on our field.
Just as important: you can sit down with us in person. Our office is downtown at 538 S Tancahua St, minutes from the port. No call centers. No case mills. Your case is handled here, by the lawyers whose names are on the door.
Maritime Injury FAQs
Am I a “seaman” under the Jones Act?
Generally, you must spend a significant part of your work time serving a vessel or fleet in navigation. Many tug, barge, and rig workers qualify. We can tell you quickly and for free.
Can I be fired for filing a maritime injury claim?
Retaliation for asserting your legal rights is unlawful. Document everything and speak with a lawyer before signing anything from your employer.
What if my employer says workers’ comp is my only option?
Do not take their word for it. Jones Act seamen are not covered by state workers’ comp — they often have much stronger federal claims.
How long do I have to file a maritime injury claim?
Jones Act and general maritime claims usually must be filed within three years. Claims involving government entities can be much shorter. Do not wait to find out which deadline applies to you.
Does it matter that my employer is based in another state?
No. Maritime law is federal. If you were injured working out of Corpus Christi waters or the Gulf, we can pursue your claim here.
Talk to a Corpus Christi Maritime Lawyer Today
Deadlines in maritime cases can be short, and evidence on vessels disappears fast. Call 361-738-5548 or schedule a free consultation now.
