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WILLIS
LAW FIRM
1221 McKinney
Suite #3333
Houston, Texas
TOLL FREE
1(800)883-9858
1(800)468-4878

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| MARITIME NEGLIGENCE THIRD ( 3rd ) PARTY LAWSUIT
TALK TO A MARITIME / JONES ACT PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER
In addition to the Jones Act claim
against the seaman’s employer, a
third-party lawsuit may be available against a company other than the employer.
This occurs when an injury is caused by the act or failure to act of a party
other than the employer; that party is called the "third-party" defendant
and the injured worker may file a lawsuit against that party. It is filed under
the General Maritime Law. The 3rd party claim or lawsuit can be for ordinary
negligence, a product liability for a defective product, machinery or part
that failed causing your injury.
An example of a third party lawsuit under the Jones Act would be where a Jones
Act seaman on a jack rig or semi-submersible oil drilling rig is seriously
injured when a employee from another company such as a seismic line company
allows a heavy pack-off nut the fall 35 feet onto the deck causing a serious
head injury and paralysis to the Jones Act Seaman. In that situation, the worker
may have a Jones Act case against his own employer for their own acts of negligence
or a unseaworthiness claim against the vessel owner for a dangerous condition
on the vessel, and a separate claim in the same lawsuit against the 3 rd party
wireline company due to negligence on the part of its employee.
If the 60 lb pack off nut had fallen due to the wireline actually breaking
due to a defective clamp, then several other potential claims may exist. First,
a Jones Act case against the seaman's employer for unseaworthiness or negligence,
second, a negligence case against the Wireline Company for failing to maintain
a safe equipment and for unsafe lifting practices, and finally a third-party
products liability case against the product cable clamp manufacturer or product
distributor and even a possible claim against a maintenance company that did
a overhaul or repair of the failed or defective equipment in question. All
of these actions would usually be filed in the same lawsuit against the different
respective defendants, but the third-party claims could be filed separately
if that would present a more favorable strategic situation.
If
you have been injured on a ship, rig or vessel that you believe was unseaworthy
or that your injuries were caused in part by the negligent conduct of your
Jones Act employer or fellow seaman or due the negligence of a third party
company or it's employee or due to a defective or dangerous product, then
call a Maritime Personal Injury Lawyer for a FREE
CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION at 1-800-883-9858 or 1-800-468-4878.

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If you have been seriously injured while as a member
of the crew of a boat, jack-up rig, tug boat, barge or other marine
ship or vessel, then call us for a Free Confidential Consultation.
Talk to Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer with over
20 years of experience. (Click Here)

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If I am injured on a ship, should I give a statement
to my employer ? When should I file a notice of injury report ? Under
the Jones Act, do I have the right to choose my own medical doctor ?
(Click Here)

What does maintenance and cure mean
under the Jones Act ? Under what circumstances can I recover pain & suffering
and loss wages under the Jones Act ? (Click
Here)

What
does it mean for a ship to be unseaworthy ? Under the Jones Act can part
of the ship or vessel be seaworthy and another part unseaworthy? (More)

Under the Jones Act and maritime law, what is the
deadline or Statute of Limitation to file a claim or lawsuit if I was
injured on a ship or vessel ? (More)

What if I am not a Jones Act seaman, but I was injured on a ship, vessel or an offshore oil rig or platform ? Does maritime law still apply ? Can I file a maritime claim or lawsuit to recover for my injuries? (More)

Can I file a Jones Act claim if my loved on has been diagnosed
with asbestos lung cancer or mesothelioma from asbestos exposure while
working on a ship or at the shipyard ? (More)
Does maritime law protect me if I was exposed to benzene and later I am
diagnosed with leukemia ? (More)

What if my spouse is killed while at sea? Does the Death
on the High Sea Act (DOHSA) apply to all deaths on ships vessels, helicopters,
and
ships on the high seas?
(More DOHSA info)

What are my legal rights if I have had a previous or old injury but now I have suffered a new injury to my back and neck and may need surgery but the Maritime Insurance company's adjuster says I am not covered and he will not approve it ? Yes, you are covered whether it is aggravation of a old injury or new one, if you were a Jones Act seaman injured on the vessel and the employer was at fault or negligent then you can file a Jones Act lawsuit for any type of injury such as heart attacks, strokes, head injury, brain damage, paralysis, burns, broken bones, paraplegia, quadriplegia, loss of an arm or leg, blindness and for emotional trauma or mental anguish, disfigurement, medical expenses and for loss wages or lost earnings in the past and future.
(Jones Act Lawsuit Damages) |
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NOTE: The statements and information provided on this web site are for the informational purposes only. This site is not intended to provide legal advice to the reader and NO attorney-client relationship shall be deemed to arise from the receipt this page and/or its associated pages or any oral or e-mail communication to or from with David Willis or The Willis Law Firm. There will be NO lawsuits filed, claims made, letters or phone calls made for a prospective client, until that person is represented by the firm. An attorney client relationship only arises after the attorney and client have signed a written attorney client agreement, after the attorney has evaluated the background facts provided and has accepted the representation of the client's legal action.
Mr. Willis is a licensed attorney in New York and Texas. Principle office is Houston, Texas.
He is a Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Lawyer, certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Mr. Willis has represented clients in maritime personal injury, barge accidents, boating accidents, transports, crew boats, diving accidents, rig workers, injuries in river, lakes, canals, ICC, wrongful death lawsuits, oilfield accidents, oilrig accidents, tankers, shrimp boats, fishing vessels, tug boats, push boats, auto accident, explosions, crane accidents, rollover, asbestos, mesothelioma, sandblasters disease - silicosis, benzene solvents-aml leukemia, MDS, toxic chemical, lung cancer, 3rd party actions, electrical shock, fires, burns, explosions, helicopter crashes, tugboats, trucking accidents, third party lawsuits, and other product liability and negligence cases from across the United States, including clients from Alabama, Arkansas, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Virginia, Mexico, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia & Wyoming.
Further, any statement or reference to past personal injury, products liability lawsuits, settlements or verdicts should NOT be relied upon in one's own case or in your decision on which law firm to hire. All cases, facts, injuries, damages, venues and lawsuits are different and there is NO way to predict the outcome of a particular case, verdict of a jury or judge or the strength of a case before a judge, jury or the appellate court system. The client is responsible for all of their own medical expenses. All cases are handled on a contingent fee basis. No attorney’s fees or case costs charged to client, unless a recovery is made for the client. Often in very serious and catastrophic maritime injury and offshore seaman injury cases Mr. Willis may associate with another attorney as co-counsel and in other matters, the case may be referred. In cases where a legal matter is referred, Mr. Willis will continue to maintain joint responsibility with the handling attorney or lead counsel and actively monitor the progress and development of the case |
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