Recent Blog Posts

Settlement Finally Reached in Fatal Duck Boat Incident

Texas Offshore Injury Lawyer — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:46:00 GMT

A wrongful death lawsuit was filed on behalf of two Hungarian students who were killed in a duck boat accident in Philadelphia back in 2010. The duck boat company as well as the company of the barge that collided with the duck boat were found guilty and are now required to pay $15 million to the defendants. One of the causes of the accident was found to have been cell phone use. This accident could have been easily prevented if it were not for the negligence of both parties.

Unfortunately, carelessness in this case resulted in death. If your loved one was killed in a maritime accident of any kind, you have the ability to file a wrongful death claim against the responsible party with the help of a Texas offshore injury attorney from our firm. Arnold & Itkin will fight to see that your damages are paid for, so contact a Texas maritime lawyer at the firm today for more information.

Disabled Bulk Carrier Rescued

Texas Offshore Injury Attorney — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:58:00 GMT

Recently in San Francisco, a freight carrier that had become disabled needed to be rescued and tugged back to shore for repairs. The vessel was originally identified by the Coast Guard as in need of help. The vessel in question was a Hong Kong-flagged carrier vessel. It was on its way to Stockton when it became disabled and drifted at least 24 miles before help came. Two tug boats were dispatched to tow the vessel. The vessel had 200,000 gallons of fuel on board but no cargo. This was potential for a significant environmental disaster as well as explosion and injury.

The Coast Guard is conducting the investigation of the vessel to determine what went wrong. If you were injured in an accident like this then you may be able to get compensation under maritime law. When you call a Texas maritime lawyer from our firm, we will be able to explain to you your rights. Should you become our client, we will do everything in our power to get you the compensation that you deserve. For more information, contact a Texas offshore injury attorney from Arnold & Itkin.

Tanker Strikes Jackup Rig in Port Aransas

Texas Maritime Lawyer — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:44:00 GMT

A tanker approaching the channel at Port Aransas, TX lost power and collided with the Rowan EXL-1 jack up drilling rig on the morning of May 3. The FR8 Pride tanker was heading inbound, lost propulsion and drifted into the rig. The tanker was separated from the rig with the help of nearby tugboats.

The jack up suffered significant damage from the collision, and the tanker experienced some on-board flooding, which the crew was able to bring under control. The Coast Guard is currently investigating the accident. If you or a loved one has been injured in an offshore accident, it is in your best interests to get the involvement of a Texas maritime lawyer from our firm as you may be entitled to compensation. Contact a Texas offshore injury attorney from Arnold & Itkin today for a free consultation regarding your case.

Claim Filed for Jones Act Seaman in Jefferson County

Arnold & Itkin LLP — Mon, 07 May 2012 20:21:00 GMT

Arnold & Itkin maritime lawyers Kurt Arnold, Kyle Findley and Paul Skrabanek were able to file a claim on behalf of a Jones Act seaman who was injured while working off the coast of Texas. The suit was filed in Jefferson County, Texas. According to reports, the man was injured while working on a fishing vessel. The incident happened when hydraulic fluid and oil lines ruptured in the engine room. This caused the worker to slip and hurt his neck. The injuries to his neck were severe and require surgery as well as extensive treatment.

A Houston personal injury lawyer from Arnold & Itkin will be proud to represent any case in which a maritime worker is injured by the negligence of another. If you are a seaman and have a Jones Act claim to file, then get in touch with our firm today. We will evaluate your case and determine the best way to help you. Contact a Houston offshore injury attorney from the firm today for more information.

Tug Master Missing After Falling Overboard

Texas Offshore Injury Attorney — Wed, 02 May 2012 20:11:00 GMT

A Rhode Island tugboat master went missing when he fell overboard his vessel. The accident took place when the New York-based tug was transporting a jet fuel-carrying barge to Boston. No one saw the incident occur, according to reports. The crew grew suspicious after not seeing their captain for about an hour at which point they notified authorities. The U.S. Coast Guard conducted a search but to no avail. The incident took place around 1:30 in the afternoon and the search continued all night until 1:30pm the next day at which point the investigation was called off. At the time of the accident, there were three to six foot waves and the water temperature was a chilly 52 degrees. If your loved one was killed in a tugboat accident such as this then you may be able to file a wrongful death claim under general maritime law with the help of a Texas offshore injury attorney from our firm. To find out more about how Arnold & Itkin can help you, contact a Texas maritime lawyer from the firm today.

Recent Survey Calls Seamen Justice into Question

Texas Offshore Injury Lawyer — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:11:00 GMT

A recent survey shows that seamen who are facing criminal charges are often under-represented and treated unfairly. This survey was conducted worldwide and took surveys from maritime workers in 18 different countries who were of 68 different ethnicities. What is shocking is that as many as 8 percent of all the workers surveyed had faced at least one criminal charge and 24 percent of masters had faced criminal charges. More shocking even than this is the fact that well over 80 percent of all seamen surveyed claimed lack of legal representation and lack of having their rights explained to them.

Common criminal charges against seafarers have also increased over the last ten years. Maritime workers deserve fair treatment just like any other worker. If you are being treated unfairly at your offshore workplace, know that you are protected under U.S. maritime law. You may even qualify to be covered under the Jones Act. Get in touch with a Texas maritime lawyer from Arnold & Itkin when you contact a Texas offshore injury attorney from our firm today.

Fog Causes Cargo Ship and Tanker to Collide

Texas Offshore Injury Lawyer — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 22:20:00 GMT

The U.S. Coast Guard reported that the leading cause of this Houston Ship Channel collision was dense fog. A cargo vessel and a tanker collided in the channel December of last year near Texas City. Thankfully, no injuries or environmental damage was reported. The chief investigator of this case has not yet conducted a full investigation, but is currently saying that the safest answer is to say that fog was the leading cause. No negligence was evidenced by the passengers of either vessel, which is why adverse weather conditions seems to have been the cause. Both vessels had arranged for a port-to-port passage but they unknowingly got too close to each other and ended up hitting. Both vessels sustained structural damage. One of the vessels was not transporting anything at the time but the other vessel was carrying 51,000 barrels of the chemical acetone. So far, it appears as if the crewmembers of both vessels were also participating in necessary safety procedures.

Often, accidents are made worse when crewmembers have not been properly trained on what to do in the event of an accident. Both vessels then sailed after the impact to the Port of Houston where the inspection took place. If you are a maritime worker and were injured while performing your job duties then you are likely covered by the Jones Act or some other type of maritime law. Even if you think no one is at fault for the accident, you can never be sure until you get in touch with a Texas offshore injury attorney from our firm. At Arnold & Itkin, we are passionate about the rights of injured offshore workers and can help fight for you should you become one of our clients. For more information, contact a Texas maritime lawyer from our firm today.

New Jackup Rig for Gulf Drilling Operations

Texas Offshore Injury Attorney — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 20:43:00 GMT

Sembcorp Marine Ltd, an offshore manufacturing company, has recently secured a deal with the United States to manufacture a jackup rig for the purpose of international drilling. This venture is part of the U.S.'s Qatar drilling operations. This jackup rig will be built so that it can host 150 personnel comfortably and will also include hotel services. Jackup rigs are used to drill oil and are secured to the ocean floor, as opposed to deep-water drill ships.

Like many other types of offshore drilling rigs, this one can pose serious threat of injury to workers. If you are a maritime worker and you are injured while working on a jackup rig then you can seek help from a Texas offshore injury attorney from our firm. Arnold & Itkin proudly fights for the rights of maritime workers who have been injured in a variety of accidents, including jackup rig accidents. For more information on how you can be helped, contact a Texas maritime attorney from our firm today.

Costa Concordia to be Shipped in One Piece

Texas Offshore Injury Attorney — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:10:00 GMT

Just a few weeks ago, a Costa Concordia ship was struck and began to leak fuel into the ocean. Salvagers have recently removed all the fuel, and the next step is to have it transported back to Genoa. The tricky part is that the ship has to be floated back in one piece. Companies are actually fighting for the right to take on the job, but it looks like Smit-Tek will be the one to handle it. The project is so big though that multiple companies may have to be used.

Salvaging projects like this are incredibly dangerous with a vessel this size. Offshore workers are at risk of injury when taking on these types of projects. Extreme caution must be taken in order to ensure the safety of both the vessel and the workers. If you were injured in an offshore accident then speak with a Texas offshore injury attorney from our firm. At Arnold & Itkin we know how to go up against big oil and offshore companies in order to get you the recovery you deserve, so contact a Texas maritime lawyer from our firm today.

What You Can Do About a Head Injury

Texas Offshore Injury Attorney — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:52:00 GMT

Offshore workers are at a high risk of injury because of the dangerous nature of their work environments. Whether working on an oil rig or a tugboat, accidents can happen in almost any situation. Accidents most often can be avoided, which is why maritime injury is so unfortunate. Extra safety precautions must be taken in this work environment because of the high risk of accidents even when conditions seem safe. One common injury that maritime workers sustain is a head injury.

Head injuries can happen a number of ways. Slip and fall accidents, equipment failures or falling machinery can all cause a worker to suffer this type of injury. Head injuries are extremely dangerous because they often don't appear to the eye to have caused any damage. Many head injuries are internal and if they are left unchecked can lead to permanent injury and even death.

Concussions, hematoma, contusions and hemorrhages are common forms of head injuries that offshore workers may sustain. These types of injuries need to receive medical treatment and continued care in order to ensure that the injury is not getting worse. Your employer is responsible for taking care of any injuries you sustained on the job, and they may be responsible for compensating you if they were found to have been negligent in the situation that caused your injury.

If this describes your situation, then speak with a Texas offshore personal injury attorney from Arnold & Itkin today. Our firm has ample experience in taking on cases of injured workers and has recovered millions of dollars on their behalf. This is because we truly believe in the rights of injury victims and are proud to represent Texas maritime workers. Contact a Texas maritime attorney from our firm today if you want representation that can get you compensated after your head injury.

Gas Explosion Badly Burns Victim

Texas Offshore Injury Attorney — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 21:48:00 GMT

A natural gas explosion left a 44-year-old man in critical condition after his home completely collapsed. Although the particulars of the accident are still under investigation, the actual explosion was caused by natural gas. The culprit may have been a gas furnace that had recently been installed in the home. You may be wondering how this has anything to do with offshore news. There are in fact many similarities. As was the case in this instance, poor installation of equipment is what causes many explosions.

Many offshore fires and explosions could have been avoided if proper maintenance and installation were performed. In this case, those responsible for the operation and maintenance of the equipment could have been charged with negligence. If you are a maritime worker and you suffered from burn injuries after an offshore fire or explosion, then speak with a Texas offshore injury attorney from Arnold & Itkin today. We can inform you of your rights and should you become our client, we will fight to prove that you were not the cause of the accident. Contact a Texas maritime lawyer at our firm today.

Bangladesh Ferry Crash Leaves 31 Dead and Many Missing

Texas Offshore Injury Attorney — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:42:00 GMT

Today in Bangladesh, a cargo boat and a ferry collided, leaving 31 people dead and many people still missing. The ferry, which was carrying around 200 people, completely sunk. Many more are expected to have been killed in the accident, but the exact number cannot be certain until the divers investigate the sunken ship. The two ships collided in the middle of the night, causing many to have to abandon ship into the dark river. While the accident is still under investigation, it is not uncommon for ships in Bangladesh to be involved in accidents because of their lack of observance of regulations.

While this accident happened thousands of miles away, the same can be true anywhere that regulations are not followed properly because of employer negligence. If you are a maritime worker and were injured in an offshore accident caused by your employer's negligent observance of regulations, then you could be entitled to a claim. Contact a Texas offshore injury attorney from Arnold & Itkin to see how a Texas maritime lawyer can help get you the compensation you deserve.

Maersk Purchases $1.3 Billion in Drillships

Texas Offshore Injury Attorney — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:37:00 GMT

Maersk is poised to begin operations on two deepwater drillships in South Korea. The vessels, being manufactured at Samsung Heavy Industries, should be completed by the end of 2014. The total cost of the order was $1.3 billion. Like many drilling companies, Maersk is delving to the deepwater drilling arena in hopes of keeping up with the times and demand for oil. Deepwater drilling is also becoming a popular option because standard, shallow water rigs aren't producing as much oil as they used to, hence the need to explore deeper waters.

The new drillships that are being manufactured will be faster and overall more efficient, saving the company money in the long run. If you are a maritime worker and were injured on a deepwater rig, then you may be entitled to compensation under the Jones Act or another type of maritime law. A Texas maritime lawyer from our firm will be able to evaluate your case and aggressively advocate on your behalf should you become our client. Contact a Texas Jones Act attorney at Arnold & Itkin today.

Recent Case: Jones Act Lawsuit Filed for Injured Man

Arnold & Itkin, LLP — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:33:00 GMT

After a Newton, Texas man was injured while aboard a crew boat, Arnold & Itkin, LLP attorneys, Jason Itkin and Cory Itkin, filed a Jones Act lawsuit on his behalf to pursue just compensation. The incident took place when he was working aboard the crew boat as an engineer. The boat ran aground in the Sabine Pass just outside of Port Arthur, Texas, when he was thrown from his chair. The seaman suffered serious neck and back injuries as a result of the offshore accident. Filed in Jefferson County, Texas, the offshore injury lawyers from the firm are pursuing a settlement on his behalf.

Suffering from injuries at an offshore location can be one of the most difficult types of injuries to cope with. Whether your injuries include a spinal cord injury, neck injury, back injury, or broken bones, involving a Texas offshore injury attorney as soon as possible is highly recommended. At the law firm of Arnold & Itkin, LLP, the legal team has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for their clients in the last few years alone – and they will work tirelessly to ensure that every future client is fully compensated for their losses as well. Learn more about your options to pursue a settlement in a Jones Act claim by contacting the Texas offshore injury lawyers at this firm.

Rowan Sees Rig Utilization Increases

Texas Offshore Injury Attorney — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:03:00 GMT

Rowan Companies operate out of Texas and provide oil well drilling services and rigs. They operate 24 offshore jack up rigs and 32 land based rigs, but have recently been focusing most heavily on offshore drilling, selling their land based rigs to Ensign Energy in September. Their fourth-quarter earnings fell 21 percent and they are reporting that this is probably due to lower aids from discontinued operations as well as rising costs. Due to their recent sale of land based rigs and manufacturing services, they only profited $45 million, which is $12 million less than last years reported profits. Revenue reached $272 million, a 32 percent increase, and day rates increased as well. Shares of Rowan (RDC) closed at $35.53 this Monday, February 27^th, which means that the stock is up 27 percent.

If you are a rig worker for Rowan Company or a related offshore company in Texas, then you should be informed about what is going on with your company. It is not only important to know the stocks and rates of your company, it is even more important to understand the standards your company is held to, and a Texas offshore injury attorney from our firm can help. By making yourself informed of company policies and maritime law, you will be able to evaluate to see if you are getting the coverage and benefits you deserve. For example, if you are an offshore worker and are injured on a jack up rig, then you need to be informed of your rights so that you can understand who is responsible for your injuries, and what you will be compensated. If you are in fact injured while performing your job duties offshore, then contact a Texas jack up rig accident lawyer from Arnold & Itkin today.