Time Limits for Offshore Injury Claims

I fell from a ship's upper deck while painting an exterior wall. I suffered a serious back injury and have been in a Texas hospital for six weeks. If I decide to sue the ship owner for my injuries, how long can I wait before I have to file court papers?

Your question involves a legal principle known as the "statute of limitations." That is the time limit for filing a lawsuit. The filing period usually begins to run on the day of your accident, but there are exceptions to that rule. The time limits in each case will depend on the specific facts and the remedies that might be available. Generally, an injured maritime worker needs to bring a claim under the Jones Act or general maritime law within three years of the date of the accident. To receive medical expenses and disability benefits through the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, you must report the injury within 30 days and file a claim within one year. Different deadlines are applied for a state law case -- and those deadlines vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

Missing a deadline can extinguish your right to compensation. That's why it is important to meet with a Texas maritime lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your case. To get the full benefits you deserve for your Texas maritime accident, turn to the experienced maritime injury lawyers at Arnold & Itkin LLP. We handle maritime law claims in Houston, Galveston, Corpus Christi, Port Arthur and port cities throughout Texas. We are aggressive, skilled and experienced. We work hard to maximize our clients' recoveries -- and our law firm secured over $250 million in verdicts or settlements for our clients in 2011.

Contact a Texas offshore injury attorney today.