Injured? Protect Your Rights.

30+ years of experience protecting injured victims.

Experienced Maritime Lawyer

We Protect the Rights of Maritime Injury Victims

If you have been injured in a maritime accident, the Willis Law Firm is here to help. We have over 30 years of experience protecting the rights of workers and other individuals who have suffered serious maritime injuries. Our firm understands that the legal system can be intimidating and confusing for injury victims. We are here to answer your questions in the strictest confidence and guide you through every step of the legal process.

Maritime injuries and accidents can have catastrophic, life-changing consequences for victims and their families. In addition to your initial pain and suffering, you may experience serious ongoing medical problems that prevent you from reaching a full recovery and returning to work. While your employer may promise to take care of you and find you a new position that accommodates your injuries, these types of promises are often not fulfilled. Far too often employers and their insurance companies deny responsibility and look for ways to limit the amount of compensation they are required to pay injured workers.

Whether you have been injured on a ship, jack-up oil rig, offshore platform, barge, tugboat , fishing boat, or other type of vessel, you need a strong team of experienced Jones Act and maritime lawyers on your side. It is important to remember that your interests and the interests of your employer are not always aligned. At the end of the day your employer will be looking out for its own interests. David Willis, a Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer, can protect your rights and fight for the compensation you need to recover from your injuries and move forward with your life.

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For 30 years we have recovered millions for our clients. See what they say:

When my dad was diagnosed with cancer due to toxic chemicals in some holding tanks, our family talked to many law firms, but chose Mr. Willis as our attorney. He worked tirelessly throughout the legal process and saw to it that our family and our needs were well taken care of. He remains a friend of our family and we highly recommend him to anyone who needs someone to fight for them.- Lindsey C.

"Mr. Willis came highly recommended by a senior partner in a major corporate law firm. Willis battled the chemical companies and won our case. Even 15 years later, he is still a close friend of the entire family."- Melissa C.

"When my husband got seriously injured we interviewed lots of trial lawyers until we met Mr. Willis. Instantly we knew he was the one. He didn’t let us down. His tenacity and fight changed our lives."- Sherry Lynn B.

"As a trial lawyer & former Texas Judge, when my own daughter got seriously injured, I thought of no other lawyer to call to handle my daughter’s injury case except David Willis."- Ben C.

"When my husband was diagnosed with AML Leukemia from benzene exposure, we interviewed numerous attorneys, but choose Mr. Willis. He fought for us every step of the way and his office was always there for us. In fact, Mr. Willis even took my husband on his last deer hunting trip 10 months before he died. We trusted Mr. Willis and he didn't let us down." - Isabel H.

"After I got seriously injured I felt lost and helpless. My father suggested I call Attorney Willis to help. His legal staff was amazing. Extremely patient and always called back when they promised. They were always available for me and helped push my case along fairly quickly. I highly recommend them to anyone I know."- Melvin D.

"After our son was killed in an explosion we needed help. A neighbor had used Willis when his mom died and recommended we do too. Willis was the right choice. Though his law office was 100's of miles away, he was always there for us. Willis always kept his word and fought tirelessly throughout the entire case. Years after the settlement, we still consider Willis a friend we can call upon and have recommended to others too." - Maxine G

"Mr. Willis did an incredible job for us on a lawsuit involving my mom’s death. Over the last 20 years I have proudly recommended him to many close friends when they needed a lawyer. I know for a fact he did agreat job on each of their cases and they all thanked me again for giving them his name. Willis is a one of a kind lawyer. His doors are always open. I can still call him up and “shoot the breeze” with him. Don’t hesitate to call him if you too need help."- J.L.N

Over 30 Years we've recovered Millions, Millions & Millions for our Clients

When my dad was diagnosed with cancer due to toxic chemicals in some holding tanks, our family talked to many law firms, but chose Mr. Willis as our attorney. He worked tirelessly throughout the legal process and saw to it that our family and our needs were well taken care of. He remains a friend of our family and we highly recommend him to anyone who needs someone to fight for them.- Lindsey C.

"Mr. Willis came highly recommended by a senior partner in a major corporate law firm. Willis battled the chemical companies and won our case. Even 15 years later, he is still a close friend of the entire family."- Melissa C.

"When my husband got seriously injured we interviewed lots of trial lawyers until we met Mr. Willis. Instantly we knew he was the one. He didn’t let us down. His tenacity and fight changed our lives."- Sherry Lynn B.

"As a trial lawyer & former Texas Judge, when my own daughter got seriously injured, I thought of no other lawyer to call to handle my daughter’s injury case except David Willis."- Ben C.

"When my husband was diagnosed with AML Leukemia from benzene exposure, we interviewed numerous attorneys, but choose Mr. Willis. He fought for us every step of the way and his office was always there for us. In fact, Mr. Willis even took my husband on his last deer hunting trip 10 months before he died. We trusted Mr. Willis and he didn't let us down." - Isabel H.

"After I got seriously injured I felt lost and helpless. My father suggested I call Attorney Willis to help. His legal staff was amazing. Extremely patient and always called back when they promised. They were always available for me and helped push my case along fairly quickly. I highly recommend them to anyone I know."- Melvin D.

"After our son was killed in an explosion we needed help. A neighbor had used Willis when his mom died and recommended we do too. Willis was the right choice. Though his law office was 100's of miles away, he was always there for us. Willis always kept his word and fought tirelessly throughout the entire case. Years after the settlement, we still consider Willis a friend we can call upon and have recommended to others too." - Maxine G

"Mr. Willis did an incredible job for us on a lawsuit involving my mom’s death. Over the last 20 years I have proudly recommended him to many close friends when they needed a lawyer. I know for a fact he did agreat job on each of their cases and they all thanked me again for giving them his name. Willis is a one of a kind lawyer. His doors are always open. I can still call him up and “shoot the breeze” with him. Don’t hesitate to call him if you too need help."- J.L.N

What Do You Need Help With?

The Jones Act is a federal law that governs the liability of vessel operators and marine employers for work-related injuries or the death of an employee.

Jones Act

Maritime law provides legal rights and remedies for maritime workers who have suffered an offshore or inland waterway injury during the course of employment.

Maritime Law

Individuals who have been injured while on a ship, vessel, offshore platform or other maritime structure are entitled to compensation from employers and other parties responsible for their injuries

Maritime Injuries

Seamen injured while in the service of a vessel are entitled to receive maintenance (compensation for daily living costs) and cure (compensation for medical expenses) benefits from their employer.

Maintenance and Cure

Workers and other individuals who have been injured on an inland waterway, such as a river, canal or lake, are entitled to receive compensation for their injuries.

Inland Waterway Injuries

Individuals who are injured while working on an offshore platform, rig, drilling ship or other seagoing vessel have the right to seek compensation for injuries and accidental death.

Offshore Injuries

Why Choose The Willis Law Firm?

Confidential Free Consultations

If you have questions we are here to help. We offer free initial consultations and everything you tell us will be kept strictly confidential even if you decide not to hire our firm.

Same Day Return
Phone Calls/Emails

We know that the legal system can be confusing. Our firm is here to answer your questions and a lawyer will return your calls and emails the same day.

No Fee Unless We Win

Our firm takes cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that you will not have to pay any legal fees or expenses unless we secure compensation for you.

Multi-Lingual Staff

We want to make sure that all of our clients understand their legal rights and options. We offer a multi-lingual staff fluent in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Available 24/7/365

Injuries and accidents don’t just happen from 8-5, they can occur at any time of the day. We are here when you need us most – 24/7/365.

30+ Years Experience

If you have a Jones Act or maritime injury claim you have come to the right place. With over 30 years of experience protecting injured workers, David Willis knows the ins and outs of these complex laws.

Companies We've Had Cases Against:

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Learn More About Mr. Willis

Meet David Willis

David Willis is an experienced Jones Act and maritime injury attorney who represents injured seamen and injured workers in negligence and product liability cases nationwide. Mr. Willis has over 30 years of legal experience and is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is a graduate of Baylor University and received his law degree at the South Texas College of Law. Mr. Willis is admitted to practice law in both Texas and New York and served as a former attorney on the Supreme Court of Texas. Currently, he is a member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, the Texas Bar Foundation and the American Association for Justice. In 2015 he was elected as a member of the Maritime Law Association of the United States (MLA). Mr. Willis is committed to representing victims of serious injuries and accidents. In every case, he builds a strong team of lawyers focused on achieving a fair and just recovery for injured victims and their families.

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You Have Questions, We Have Answers

How are Jones Act Settlements Calculated?

While you may be thinking there is an easy formula you can use to calculate your damages, the reality is that maritime injuries can be are complex. Even if you have a dollar figure in mind, you should consult with an attorney first to see what's reasonable.

How am I going to live without a steady paycheck?

Under the Jones Act, an injured seaman is entitled to receive daily compensation (maintenance) and medical (cure) payments from his or her employer. Your employer is legally required to make these payments to you regardless of who is at fault for your injuries.

Should I continue to speak with my employer about my case?

When you have been involved in a workplace accident, you should try to talk as little as possible about your case to anyone. While it is fine to maintain a friendly and amicable relationship with your employer and co-workers, you should avoid discussing the details of your accident or injuries.

Should I give a recorded statement to an investigator?

Absolutely not. If your employer or an investigator asks you to provide any type of sworn or recorded statement you should never do so until after you have talked with your attorney.

Go To the Jones Act Information Center

News Feed

Hurt While Operating or Traveling on a Tugboat to One of Mississippi’s 16 Ports? Speak to a Mississippi Tugboat Accident Lawyer

Mississippi, located in the deep south region of the United States, is bordered by Tennessee, Alabama, Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana, Arkansas, and is primarily defined on its western border by the Mississippi River. The various waterways allow for water transportation within the state and throughout the country. In fact, Mississippi is connected to both national and global markets through its ports, waterways, and the Gulf of Mexico. Below, our Mississippi tugboat accident lawyer highlights some of the state’s main ports, as well as some of the common causes of tugboat accidents and injuries that occur each year. Mississippi’s 16 Ports and Waterways Mississippi has 16 main ports that are on the Mississippi River and its tributaries. These ports allow for vessels, such as tugboats, to travel up and down the Mississippi River daily. The 16 ports include the following: Yellow Creek State Inland Port Port Itawamba Port of Amory City of Aberdeen Port Raymond D. Lucas Memorial Port Lowndes County Port Port of Rosedale Port of Greenville Port of Vicksburg Port of Claiborne County Port of Natchez-Adams County Yazoo County Port Port Bienville Port of Gulfport Biloxi Port Division Port of Pascagoula These busy ports offer numerous services such as barge-truck-rail unloading and loading, tugboat services, container shipping, warehousing, import and export assistance, barge fleeting, mooring assistance, and bare loading and unloading, among other services. Mississippi also has other waterways available for water transportation such as the Gulf of Mexico and various rivers, in addition to the Mississippi River, such […] •••

October 16, 2020

Three Common Types of Tugboats Used in New Orleans Waterways

New Orleans, a city in the southeastern region of the state of Louisiana, has both inland and coastal waterways available for vessels, such as tugboats, to travel on various work-related missions such as the Mississippi River, Port of Louisiana, and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway between Mississippi and Texas. With its many waterways, including a port, New Orleans is an economic and commercial hub for the Gulf Coast region. Tugboats are a common type of vessel used in New Orleans waterways each year. A Louisiana tugboat accident lawyer explains the various types of tugboats commonly used, as well as common injuries sustained by individuals working on and coming into contact with a tugboat. Three Common Types of Tugboats in Louisiana A tugboat is a specialized vessel that helps maneuver other vessels (such as barges, rigs, and other boats) by towing or pushing them. There are three main types of tugboats, including: Seagoing tugboats (also known as sea tugs) are often larger vessels that are used for deep-sea or ocean towing. Sea tugs are designed to operate out in the sea for longer periods of time. Harbor tugboats are multipurpose vessels that are usually smaller than the seagoing tugboat and have a higher width to length ratio. These tugs are highly maneuverable as they are used to aid other vessels in and out of ports. A lighter tugboat is a smaller type of harbor tug that helps tow barges (also known as lightering) in and out of the harbor. River tugboats, also […] •••

October 9, 2020

Injured While on Arkansas’ Ports and Waterways? Our Arkansas Tugboat Accident Lawyer Can Help

Although Arkansas is mostly landlocked by other states, some people may be surprised to know that various waterways are available for vessels such as tugboats to complete a variety of maritime-related jobs and assignments. In Arkansas, popular waterways that are used for shipments of cargo and river transportation include the Port of Little Rock, the Port of Pine Bluff, and various Arkansas river terminals. The Port of Little Rock provides a central location and encompasses thousands of acres of industrial property, employs several thousand people, and maintains its own railroad. This bustling port is busy with maritime activity each day. Located at the Port of Pine Bluff is a 375-acre harbor industrial district with a terminal facility developed by the Pine Bluff-Jefferson County Port Authority, which provides access to low-cost water transportation services. Arkansas also has various river terminals easily accessible for water transportation services, such as tugboat services, at the following locations: Arkansas City Dardanelle Dumas/Pendleton Linwood Morrilton North Little Rock Pine Bluff Van Buren Tugboats Are Commonly Used in Arkansas Waterways Tugboats are a popular vessel used in many Arkansas waterways that help maneuver other vessels by towing or pushing them. Although they are often used to move other vessels, operating a tugboat that is towing another large vessel is often a dangerous maneuver that sometimes causes accidents and injuries to tugboat workers, passengers, and bystanders. An Arkansas tugboat accident lawyer explains below common accidents and injuries sustained by individuals working on or near an Arkansas tugboat. Accidents […] •••

October 2, 2020

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Willis Law Firm, Offshore & Maritime Lawyer

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