Fatal Maritime Accidents in Texas
Maritime accidents have the potential to cause severe and life-threatening injuries, and at times these may claim a worker's life. When a Texas offshore worker loses his or her life in an accident, this is often due to negligence, carelessness or some form of wrongdoing on the part of the employer, vessel owner or other crew member. A fire or explosion, fall, equipment malfunction or other accident on a tanker, jack-up rig, oil platform or other vessel may cause one or more fatalities, leaving families without loved ones.
Texas Offshore Injury Lawyer
If you lost a family member in an offshore accident, now is the time to contact a Texas offshore injury lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP. Our legal team knows what it takes to represent the families of seamen and other maritime workers who have lost their lives in accidents at sea, on offshore rigs or on inland waterways in the U.S. It starts with a free consultation, at which point you can ask any pressing questions you may have. You will receive honest answers and can rest assured that your needs will be addressed by a knowledgeable professional.
You may have grounds for legal action under the Death on the High Seas Act, Jones Act or general maritime law, depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident that claimed your loved one's life. Because maritime claims are complex and may be difficult to handle without legal representation, we recommend that you move quickly to involve an attorney.
At our firm, we have successfully represented numerous clients in Texas maritime injury and wrongful death claims. We have secured hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for the injured. Let us put our experience to work for you.
What causes fatal maritime accidents?
Unfortunately, many fatal maritime accidents are preventable. These may be caused by negligence on the part of a vessel owner, employer or other crew member or may be attributed to the unseaworthiness of the vessel. A fatal accident may also be caused by defective equipment or machinery on an offshore rig, barge, fishing boat or other vessel. The following are some examples of accidents that may claim a Texas offshore worker's life:
- A collision with another vessel or a fixed object
- An unseaworthy vessel that capsizes or sinks
- A fall from a derrick or other height
- An explosion or fire caused by equipment failure or a well blowout
- Electrocution caused by ungrounded equipment or tools or exposed wiring
No matter the cause of your loved one's accident, you can find out more about seeking compensation and holding the responsible party accountable for their conduct. Contact a Texas maritime attorney at our firm today.