Maritime Slip and Fall Accidents

Maritime Injury Lawyer | Fall Accidents

Let Our Texas Maritime Slip and Fall Lawyer Help After an Accident

Slip and fall incidents happen all the time on ships, barges, oil rigs, platforms and other types of maritime vessels. These types of accidents are often serious and can even be deadly. Crew members and other maritime workers must deal with slippery conditions on deck, such as ice, oil and other residue, which can cause a worker to tumble, slip, fall overboard or be crushed by a vessel or piece of heavy machinery not properly secured. When a maritime employee is injured in a fall accident, the employee may suffer from tremendous pain, preventing him from returning to work for an extended period of time. If you are a seaman who has been recently injured in a fall accident, it critical to seek legal advice as soon possible. An experienced Texas maritime lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and fight for the financial compensation you need to recover from your injury.

Ladders and Stairs: Common Locations for an Accident

Accidents involving ladders and stairs are common in the maritime industry. Falls from ladders and steps can result in serious workplace injuries, including fractures, head trauma, internal injuries, paralysis, and death. These types of accidents cause individuals to lose significant time from work and sometimes the injuries can be permanent and life-altering. If you are a worker who has been injured in a ladder or stair accident, it is critical to contact a maritime fall attorney as quickly as possible. The Willis Law Firm is an experienced maritime injury firm that represents crew members and other marine workers nationwide. We are familiar with all types of ladder and stairs accidents, including accidents caused by:

  • Lack of non-skid materials/worn out non-skid materials
  • Failure to keep stairs free from debris
  • Failure to prevent oil and slippery fluids on floors & stairs
  • Gaps between handrails and incorrect rail heights
  • Unsafe construction
  • Uneven rungs
  • Incorrect run and height of steps
  • Improper ladder attachments
  • Broken or faulty ladders
  • Lack of handrails

Whether your accident occurred on a ship, barge, dredge, oil rig, drilling platform, or any other type of vessel or structure, a maritime accident attorney at our firm can help. Your Houston maritime slip and fall lawyer will work with you to identify all of the parties liable for your injuries so that you can obtain the full financial compensation you are entitled to receive under the law.

Protecting Slip and Fall Victims

The Willis Law Firm has decades of experience handling all types of injury claims under the Jones Act and General Maritime Law. We are a dedicated legal team focused on helping our clients obtain the maximum recovery they are entitled to receive under the law. Our firm represents seamen and maritime workers nationwide who have been injured or killed in all types of slip and fall accidents, including falls caused by:

  • Lack of proper maintenance
  • Broken or malfunctioning equipment
  • Failure to keep decks and platforms free from debris
  • Oil spills and other slippery residues
  • Ice and other weather-related conditions
  • Corroded or worn out equipment
  • Lack of non-skid surfaces
  • Poorly lighted or obstructed walkways
  • Lack of gangways or personnel baskets
  • Unsafe transfers on rough or high seas
  • Lack of continuous hand railings and grab holds
  • Negligent rescue and lifesaving methods

If you are a crew member who has suffered a fall while working on or near the water, there are many laws that are designed to protect you. Under the Jones Act, if an employer’s or a co-worker’s negligence contributed to your fall in any way, you may be able to file a negligence lawsuit against your company. You will also be entitled to collect maintenance and cure benefits from your employer without having to show any negligence on the part of your employer.

It is important to understand that the Jones Act limits recovery to “seamen” who are injured while in the service of a ship or vessel in navigable waters. Depending upon the circumstances of your case, it may be difficult to determine whether you qualify as a Jones Act seaman and/or if you are protected under other maritime laws and statutes. You should discuss your situation with an experienced Texas maritime lawyer who will conduct a full inquiry to determine which laws and legal theories best apply to your case.

In addition to seeking recovery from your employer, you may also be able to file legal claims against the owner of the ship or vessel and certain third party defendants, such as product manufacturers, suppliers and maintenance companies who may be responsible for your injuries.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Texas Maritime Slip and Fall Attorney at The Willis Law Firm

If you or someone you care about has been injured in a fall accident while working on any type of ship or vessel, our law firm can help. Our maritime injury firm offers free, confidential consultations to injured seamen and their family members nationwide. Contact us online or call us today to schedule your appointment: 1-800-468-4878.

Willis Law Firm, Offshore & Maritime Lawyer
Nationwide Help - Licensed in Texas and New York
Principal Office
5005 Riverway Drive
Suite #160

Houston, Texas 77056

713-654-4040
1-800-468-4878
By Appointment Only
Willis Law Firm Portway Plaza
1717 Turning Basin Dr.
Suite #232

Houston, Texas 77029

713-930-1717
1-800-447-8400
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