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

I was Injured on a Barge: Do I File Under Workers’ Compensation or the Jones Act?

If you were injured in a barge accident, there is a good chance that you will need to seek financial compensation for your injuries. Between your medical bills and lost income, your injuries could take a significant toll on your finances, and you will need to make sure that you have your expenses covered as much as possible. But, how do you claim compensation for your maritime or offshore injury? Are you eligible for workers’ compensation? Or, do you need to file a claim under the Jones Act? State Workers’ Compensation Laws Do Not Apply to Offshore Workers Workers’ compensation laws are designed to make it easier for workers to collect compensation for job-related injuries. They do so by making limited, “no-fault” benefits available to injured workers regardless of the cause of their injuries. While this no-fault system makes it easier for many workers to receive at least some compensation from their employers, it prevents employees who have been harmed by their employers’ negligence from securing full financial compensation for their losses (including full wage replacement and compensation for pain and suffering). However, since workers’ compensation laws exist at the state level, they do not apply to most accidents that occur on vessels or most offshore. As a result, for maritime and offshore workers, securing compensation for job-related injuries commonly involves filing a claim under the Jones Act. Understanding Your Rights Under the Jones Act The Jones Act is a federal maritime law that serves as a substitute for workers’ […] •••

June 19, 2017

Who is Responsible for My Barge Accident Injuries?

Maybe you slipped and fell on a slippery deck. Maybe you were injured by a crane or other piece of equipment or machinery. Maybe you have been diagnosed with leukemia or MDS from a benzene exposure on a barge. Whatever it is that happened, you suffered a serious injury, and now you have a mountain of medical bills and are unable to provide for your family. Barges are dangerous work environments, and seamen working onboard barges frequently suffer serious, life-changing injuries. If you’ve been injured, you may be entitled to compensation, and one of the first steps to securing a financial recovery is to determine who is responsible for your injuries. Determining Liability After a Barge Accident Under the maritime laws of the United States, injured barge workers have three primary sources from which they can seek compensation for their injury-related losses. These are (i) their employer, (ii) the tug or barge owner, and (iii) other third parties. Your Employer: “Maintenance and Cure” and Jones Act Negligence For most barge workers, the first option for securing compensation is to enforce their rights under the Jones Act. The Jones Act provides injured seamen with two types of claims: A claim for no-fault “maintenance and cure” benefits A claim for full compensation based on employer negligence Under the Jones Act, maritime employers are required to pay maintenance and cure benefits regardless of the cause of the accident. If they do not pay, they may even be liable for punitive damages and attorney’s […] •••

June 16, 2017

When is a Tugboat Considered “Unseaworthy”?

When seeking to recover financial compensation for injuries sustained in a tugboat accident, one potential source of recovery is the tugboat’s owner. Tugboat owners have a legal obligation to maintain safe working conditions on their vessels, and when they fail to do so, maritime law states that they can be held accountable for any losses crewmembers and other workers onboard face as a result of their injuries. This is what is known as the doctrine of “unseaworthiness.” Examples of Unseaworthy Conditions on Tugboats In broad terms, any condition onboard a tugboat that increases workers’ risk of injury has the potential to qualify as an “unseaworthy” condition. For example, the following are all common dangers that can justify claims for compensation against tugboat owners: Equipment that is worn out or in need of repair Improperly-designed fixtures or equipment Loose steps or railings Missing rails or safety equipment Unprotected openings Unsafe lines, tools and machinery Trip hazards on deck Oily or icy conditions on deck Improper lighting Walking surfaces that lack anti-skid protection However, these types of issues are not the only issues that can render a tugboat unseaworthy. The following are examples of unseaworthy conditions as well: Excessive work hours – Forcing the tugboat’s captain or crewmembers to work excessively-long hours can be a form of unseaworthiness. Inadequate access to safety equipment – Tugboat owners must supply those onboard with appropriate safety equipment, such as personal floatation devices, fire extinguishers and first aid kits. Missing warning signs – Failure to post […] •••

June 14, 2017

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Willis Law Firm, Offshore & Maritime Lawyer

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Principal Office - Houston, Texas
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Houston, Texas 77005
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