Workers hurt on oil rigs, drilling platforms, supply vessels, or port facilities have federal legal protections that go well beyond a standard workers' comp claim. Those federal laws can mean more compensation and stronger rights than most injured workers realize.
At The NMW Law Firm, our attorneys represent injured maritime workers and offshore employees across North Texas, including those who live in Plano but were hurt in the Gulf of Mexico. Our Plano offshore and maritime accident lawyers handle the jurisdictional and procedural challenges that come with these claims from the first call, while your employer's insurance company is already building its defense.
Your claim has a deadline. Do not let it pass while the insurance company stalls. Call for a free case review today.
Get a Free ConsultationWhat Are My Rights as an Injured Offshore and Maritime Worker in Plano?
Injured offshore and maritime workers have the right to pursue compensation under federal law, separate from standard workers' comp. Which law applies depends on your job classification and where the injury occurred, and that distinction affects everything from your filing deadline to what damages you can recover.
The Jones Act
The Jones Act protects seamen, defined under federal law as workers who spend a significant portion of their employment on a vessel in navigation. Qualifying seamen can file a negligence claim directly against their employer for unsafe working conditions, inadequate training, defective equipment, or the negligence of a fellow crew member.
Under 46 U.S.C. § 30104, Jones Act claims allow you to recover damages for lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and diminished future earning capacity. The statute of limitations is three years from the date of injury.
What makes the Jones Act different from state personal injury law is the standard of proof. You only need to show that your employer's negligence played any part, even a small part, in causing your injury. That is a significantly lower bar than what most Texas personal injury cases require.
If you work on a vessel and were hurt due to unsafe conditions, call The NMW Law Firm to discuss your Jones Act options.
The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA)
OCSLA covers workers injured on fixed platforms, drilling rigs, and other structures attached to the seabed of the Outer Continental Shelf. Many Plano residents work rotational schedules on deepwater rigs in the Gulf, spending weeks at a time on platforms operated by major energy companies.
Under 43 U.S.C. § 1333, OCSLA extends federal law to these offshore structures. In practice, that often means state law, typically Louisiana or Texas law, depending on the nearest adjacent state, fills in the gaps.
Your claim may involve a blend of federal and state standards, making the right legal team a deciding factor. Damages you may recover include medical bills, vocational rehabilitation, and disability payments for workers unable to work.
The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA)
The LHWCA protects maritime workers who do not qualify as seamen under the Jones Act. If you work at a dock, terminal, shipyard, or port facility and were injured during the course of your employment, the LHWCA provides a federal workers' compensation system that covers medical treatment, disability benefits, and vocational rehabilitation.
Under 33 U.S.C. § 908, disability benefits are calculated based on a percentage of your average weekly wage, with specific categories for temporary total, permanent total, temporary partial, and permanent partial disability.
The statute of limitations for LHWCA claims is one year from the date of injury, which is shorter than most workers expect. Delayed filing is one of the most common reasons insurers deny legitimate claims.
The Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA)
When a maritime accident results in a fatality that occurs beyond three nautical miles from the U.S. shore, the Death on the High Seas Act governs the surviving family's right to recover damages. DOHSA claims allow recovery for lost financial support, funeral expenses, and other pecuniary losses.
If your family lost a loved one in an offshore accident, our attorneys can evaluate your claim under DOHSA and identify all available sources of compensation. For families dealing with offshore fatalities, we also handle wrongful death claims. We can advise you on how federal maritime law intersects with Texas wrongful death statutes.
Every maritime law has its own filing deadline, and missing it can permanently eliminate your claim. Contact our firm now to protect your right to recover compensation for your injuries and their impact on your life.
Past Case Results
What Should I Do After a Maritime Accident or Offshore Injury?
Acting quickly protects both your health and your legal rights. Take these steps as soon as possible:
- Report the accident to your supervisor
- Request a written incident report
- Get medical treatment immediately, even if your employer directs you to a company doctor
- Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, the equipment involved, and any visible safety hazards
- Write down exactly what happened while the details are fresh
- Collect names and contact information from any witnesses
- Do not sign any documents or give recorded statements to your employer's insurance company
- Contact our offshore and maritime accident lawyer before accepting any settlement offer
Do not rely on your employer to document what happened accurately. Get your own records and call our team for a free case evaluation.
What Mistakes Should I Avoid Making So I Don't Hurt My Case?
Injured offshore workers often make avoidable errors in the first few weeks after an accident. These mistakes can reduce your compensation or kill your claim entirely:
- Waiting too long to report the injury to your employer
- Accepting a company doctor's assessment without getting an independent medical evaluation
- Signing a settlement release before your medical treatment is complete
- Posting about the accident, your injuries, or your recovery on social media
- Returning to full duty before your doctor clears you, which gives the employer evidence that your injuries are not severe
- Assuming your employer's insurance company is working in your interest
The insurance company's goal is to close your file for as little as possible. Talk to The NMW Law Firm before you make a decision you cannot undo.
How Our Firm Handles Offshore and Maritime Injury Claims
Offshore and maritime cases require a legal team that understands federal admiralty law, the energy industry's internal safety protocols, and the specific working conditions that lead to injuries on rigs, vessels, and port facilities.
At The NMW Law Firm, our Plano offshore and maritime accident lawyers bring that knowledge to your case. We represent workers injured in a range of offshore and maritime scenarios, including:
- Drilling rig blowouts, equipment failures, and platform explosions
- Crane collapses and falling object injuries on offshore structures
- Supply vessel collisions, capsizing, and deck accidents
- Chemical exposure and toxic inhalation on rigs and tankers
- Slip-and-fall injuries on wet, oily, or poorly maintained deck surfaces
- Burns from fires, electrical malfunctions, and welding accidents
- Injuries sustained during helicopter transport to and from offshore platforms
Many of our clients live in the DFW area but were injured on platforms operating out of Galveston, Port Arthur, Freeport, or Corpus Christi. Under 28 U.S.C. § 1333, federal district courts hold original jurisdiction over maritime claims. Your case may be filed in the Eastern or Southern District of Texas, depending on where the accident occurred.
Our attorneys secure evidence proving fault: maintenance logs, safety inspection records, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) violation histories, crew training certifications, and black box data from vessels. We work with maritime safety engineers, medical professionals, and vocational experts to document the full scope of your injuries and the negligence that caused them.
When an employer or its insurer refuses to offer fair compensation, we prepare for trial. Our firm has litigated injury claims in federal courts across Texas, and we approach every case with the expectation that it may need to go before a jury.
Our results reflect that preparation. Over $200 million recovered for injured clients across Texas. Results may vary. Prior case outcomes do not guarantee similar results. We are regularly praised by our clients and receive many referrals because of our commitment to getting results:
"I am very grateful to The NMW Law Firm for their excellent work on my case. The team kept me well informed throughout the entire process and explained everything clearly. They were always respectful, highly knowledgeable about the subject, and demonstrated strong professionalism. I truly appreciate how they worked to maximize my results and made me feel confident every step of the way. Thank you for your dedication and outstanding service."
—ATJ
If your employer or its insurance carrier is pushing back, let our Plano offshore and maritime accident attorneys step in. Call for a free case review.
FAQ: Answers for Offshore & Maritime Accidents
Can I File A Maritime Injury Claim If I Live In Plano But Was Hurt In The Gulf Of Mexico?
Yes. Where you live does not determine where your case is filed. Maritime claims are filed in federal court based on where the accident occurred or where the defendant does business. Our Plano offshore and maritime accident lawyers handle the filing and jurisdictional questions so you can focus on recovery.
What Is The Difference Between Maintenance And Cure And A Jones Act Claim?
Maintenance and cure requires your employer to cover basic living costs and medical care while you recover, regardless of fault. A Jones Act claim is a separate negligence lawsuit where you must show your employer's fault contributed to your injury. You can pursue both simultaneously.
How Do I Know If I Qualify As A Seaman Under The Jones Act?
Seaman status depends on whether you contributed to the function of a vessel in navigation and had a substantial connection to that vessel or fleet. Job title alone does not determine status. Our attorneys evaluate your work history, duties, and time aboard vessels to confirm your classification.
Can My Employer Fire Me For Filing An Offshore Injury Claim?
Federal law prohibits retaliation against workers who file Jones Act claims or LHWCA claims. If your employer terminates you, demotes you, or changes your schedule in response to your claim, that retaliation is a separate legal violation with its own remedies. Document any changes in your employment status and contact our firm immediately.
What If The Company's Doctor Says I Am Fine But I Still Have Pain?
Company-appointed physicians often have financial relationships with your employer and may downplay your injuries. You have the right to seek an independent medical evaluation from a doctor of your choosing. An independent assessment frequently reveals injuries or conditions the company doctor missed or minimized, and those records carry significant weight in your case.
Pursue the Compensation You Have Earned After a Maritime Accident
The energy industry has deep pockets and aggressive legal teams. When you are recovering from an offshore injury, the last thing you need is to face that opposition without a firm that has handled these cases before and knows the federal court system inside out.
At The NMW Law Firm, we operate on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Our attorneys have more than 70 years of combined experience.
Your employer's insurer is already building a case against you. Our attorneys start building yours from the first call. Reach out to The NMW Law Firm today for a free consultation. Let us put our resources to work on your offshore or maritime injury claim.