Corpus Christi runs on the water. As one of the busiest energy ports in the country, our region depends on thousands of men and women who work on vessels, docks, oil rigs, and support boats every single day. That work is essential, and it is also dangerous. When a maritime or offshore worker is hurt on the job, the ordinary workers’ compensation rules that cover most Texans often do not apply. Instead, a powerful federal law called the Jones Act may govern the claim, and understanding your rights under it can be the difference between a modest payout and full, fair compensation.
Key Takeaways
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Why Maritime Injuries Are Different in Corpus Christi
The scale of maritime activity in our area is enormous, and so is the exposure to risk. In 2024 alone, more than 206.5 million tons of cargo moved through the Corpus Christi Ship Channel, making it the third-largest port in the United States by total waterborne tonnage, with crude oil shipments accounting for roughly 130.5 million tons. Behind those numbers are real people operating heavy equipment on slick decks, in rough water, and around volatile cargo. When something goes wrong, the injuries are frequently catastrophic, and the legal framework that applies is nothing like a typical land-based personal injury case.
Corpus Christi: A Major Energy Gateway (2024)
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Who Qualifies as a “Seaman” Under the Jones Act?
The Jones Act protects workers who qualify as “seamen,” a legal term with a specific meaning. Generally, you must spend a significant portion of your work time, often around 30 percent or more, contributing to the function of a vessel or a fleet of vessels in navigation. This can include deckhands, engineers, cooks, drilling crew on certain rigs, and support personnel aboard tugs and supply boats. The exact classification matters enormously, because it determines which law governs your claim and how much you can recover. Because the rules are technical, one of the first jobs of a maritime attorney is to establish that you meet the definition.
What the Jones Act Lets You Recover
This is where the Jones Act truly stands apart from Texas workers’ compensation. A land-based comp claim typically limits an injured worker to medical bills and a portion of lost wages, with no recovery for pain and suffering. Under the Jones Act, an injured seaman whose employer or a coworker was negligent can pursue far broader damages, including full lost earnings and future earning capacity, all reasonable medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and disfigurement. Importantly, the standard of negligence is favorable to workers: even a small degree of employer fault can support a claim. That worker-friendly standard is one reason experienced maritime attorneys can often secure results well beyond what comp would ever provide.
Maintenance and Cure: Benefits You Are Owed Regardless of Fault
Separate from a negligence claim, the ancient maritime doctrine of “maintenance and cure” entitles an injured seaman to two things while recovering, no matter who caused the injury. “Maintenance” covers daily living expenses such as rent, utilities, and food while you are unable to work. “Cure” covers the cost of medical treatment until you reach maximum medical improvement. Employers sometimes try to cut these benefits off early or pay unreasonably low maintenance rates, and fighting back against those tactics is a core part of protecting an injured worker’s recovery.
| ❝ Proven Results
The Burkett Law Firm has recovered more than $80,000,000 for injured clients, including a $20,000,000 commercial vehicle wrongful death recovery and a $5,750,000 company vehicle rollover result. As client Mary Jane V. put it: “Professional law firm you can trust. Friendly and caring attorneys and paralegals who will do right by you.” |
Common Causes of Maritime and Offshore Injuries
Offshore and dockside work exposes crew members to hazards that rarely exist on land. Slips and falls on wet or oily decks, being struck by cargo or heavy equipment, crane and rigging failures, fires and explosions around volatile petroleum products, and injuries from fatigue during long shifts are all common. Many of these incidents trace back to inadequate safety procedures, poorly maintained equipment, or insufficient crew training, all of which can establish the negligence needed for a Jones Act claim. Documenting exactly how and why an injury happened, quickly and thoroughly, is critical, which is also why you should never skip medical treatment after an accident.
What to Do After a Maritime Injury
The steps you take in the hours and days after an offshore injury can shape your entire case. Report the injury to your supervisor and make sure it is documented in writing. Seek medical attention immediately and follow through on all treatment. Be cautious about signing anything or giving a recorded statement to a company representative before you understand your rights, because early statements are often used to minimize claims. Preserve names of witnesses and any photos you can safely take. And speak with a maritime lawyer promptly, because vessel logs, equipment, and other evidence can change or disappear. The same urgency applies whether your injury happened at sea, on a rig, or in a related serious transportation accident.
You May Have Claims Beyond Your Employer
Maritime injuries often involve more than one responsible party, and a thorough investigation can uncover additional sources of compensation. If defective equipment caused your injury, the manufacturer may be liable. If a different company owned the vessel or the rig where you were hurt, that owner may share responsibility under separate maritime doctrines such as unseaworthiness. Contractors, staffing companies, and other vendors on site can also play a role. Identifying every potentially liable party is one of the most valuable things an experienced maritime firm does, because it can dramatically expand the compensation available to a seriously injured worker and their family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Jones Act the same as workers’ compensation?
No. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system with limited benefits. The Jones Act allows injured seamen to sue a negligent employer for much broader damages, including pain and suffering.
How long do I have to file a Jones Act claim?
There is a strict time limit, generally three years, but shorter deadlines can apply depending on the circumstances and the employer. It is best to consult an attorney right away.
Can I be fired for filing a Jones Act claim?
Retaliation against a worker for pursuing rightful benefits is prohibited. If it happens, that itself can give rise to additional legal action.
Talk to a Corpus Christi Maritime Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured working on the water in or around Corpus Christi, you do not have to navigate the Jones Act alone. These cases are complex, the stakes are high, and employers and their insurers move quickly to protect themselves. The Burkett Law Firm understands the maritime and energy industries that drive our region, and we fight to secure the full compensation injured workers deserve. Contact The Burkett Law Firm’s Corpus Christi office at (361) 738-5548 today for a free, confidential consultation.
