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Maritime Wrongful Death Claims

A Maritime Wrongful Death Attorney Will Help a Victim’s Family Receive Compensation Each year in the United States, thousands of maritime workers are injured while on or near a vessel. Crew members, dock workers, longshoremen, and other maritime employees engage in difficult and dangerous work daily. Unfortunately, some of these accidents are so severe that they result in the worker’s death. Such accidents and untimely deaths can occur for various reasons, such as: Negligence of a vessel owner or operator Safety hazards onboard Mechanical issues Improperly trained crew Fires and explosions onboard Chemical exposures Weather conditions Failure to maintain safety standards When the death of a loved one results from a vessel owner’s or operator’s negligence, the family of the deceased maritime worker may sue the vessel owner for wrongful death. Having a loved one killed in a work-related accident is devastating and can place substantial financial hardships on the family. The experienced maritime wrongful death lawyers at Willis Law Firm in Texas are here for you. Call us today for a free consultation to determine if your family is entitled to compensation for the death of your loved one. We are a maritime injury firm with decades of experience, and our knowledgeable Texas maritime attorneys routinely fight for the legal rights of victims and their families nationwide in claims and wrongful death actions. What You Need to Know if You Have Lost a Loved One Who Worked Offshore or in the Maritime Industry Knowing what to do after losing […]

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Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA)

Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) – Legal Rights under the Maritime Law 46 USCS Appx § § 761 et seq. § 761. Right of action; where and by whom brought Whenever the death of a person shall be caused by wrongful act, neglect, or default occurring on the high seas beyond a marine league from the shore of any State, or the District of Columbia, or the Territories or dependencies of the United States, the personal representative of the decedent may maintain a suit for damages in the district courts of the United States, in admiralty, for the exclusive benefit of the decedent’s wife, husband, parent, child, or dependent relative against the vessel, person, or corporation which would have been liable if death had not ensued. (Mar. 30, 1920, ch. 111, § 1, 41 Stat. 537.) § 762. Amount and apportionment of recovery The recovery in such suit shall be a fair and just compensation for the pecuniary loss sustained by the persons for whose benefit the suit is brought and shall be apportioned among them by the court in proportion to the loss they may severally have suffered by reason of the death of the person by whose representative the suit is brought. (Mar. 30, 1920, ch. 111, § 2, 41 Stat. 537.) § 763a. Statute of Limitations- Death on the High Seas Act Unless otherwise specified by law, a suit for recovery of damages for personal injury or death, or both, arising out of a maritime […]

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Offshore Accidents During Hurricanes and Tropical Storms: What Are Injured Workers’ Rights?

Offshore Injuries Aug 31, 2023

It’s hurricane season in the Gulf of Mexico and Southeast Texas. While working offshore is dangerous under any conditions, it is especially dangerous when high winds and heavy rains rapidly approach jack-up rigs and vessels operating well out of sight of land. Unfortunately, many companies give their employees little choice but to go out in these conditions, putting their safety—and potentially their lives—in jeopardy.

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Can You File a Maritime Injury Claim for Sun Exposure?

Jones Act Oct 6, 2022

While maritime workers face prolonged sun exposure year-round, working in the sun can be especially dangerous during the summer months. Maritime workers regularly suffer exposure-related injuries on land, on vessels, and on rigs and platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, and sadly some of these injuries prove fatal. If you have suffered severe burns, have suffered a heat stroke or heart attack, or are dealing with any other medical condition caused by sun exposure on the job, you may be entitled to compensation, and you should speak with a Mississippi Jones Act lawyer about your legal rights.

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10 Frightening Oil Rig Accident Facts

Maritime Injuries Aug 3, 2022

Working on an oil rig can be extremely dangerous. From fires and explosions to slips, trips and falls, all types of accidents present risks for serious—if not life-threatening—injuries. Statistics show that working on an oil rig is among the most dangerous jobs you can have, and each year numerous workers suffer injuries and lose their lives in accidents that could have been avoided. What makes working on an oil rig so dangerous? Just how dangerous is working on an oil rig in the open water? Here are 10 frightening facts about oil rig accidents: 1. Oil Rig Workers Are Seven Times More Likely To Be Killed On the Job Federal statistics show that oil rig workers are seven times more likely to suffer a fatal injury on the job than the average worker in the United States. This is a major difference that can be attributed to several different factors. Not only do oil rig workers perform dangerous jobs, but they are often forced to work under hazardous conditions. As a result, while approximately 1 in 200,000 workers die at work on average, about 1 in 25,000 oil rig workers will lose their lives on the job. 2. Fires and Explosions are Leading Causes of Death On Oil Rigs On average, there are more than 100 oil rig fires in the Gulf of Mexico alone each year. While many of these fires are quickly contained, some of them lead to catastrophic injuries and losses. Explosions on oil rigs and during […]

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Understanding Dry Dock Accidents and Your Right to Financial Compensation

Maritime Injuries May 5, 2022

Working at a dry dock can be dangerous. While many people assume that working on the land is safer than working on the water, this isn’t necessarily the case. Dry dock accidents are common, and many dry dock workers find themselves in need of financial compensation to cover their medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. Common Dry Dock Accidents Part of the reason why dry dock accidents are so common is that there are so many different types of accidents that can occur. For example, some of the most common accidents that leave dry dock workers suffering from serious injuries include: Exposure to Toxic Fumes or Vapors – Working in confined areas or in close proximity to boats, equipment, supplies, or materials that release toxic fumes or vapors presents several risks for dry dock workers. In addition to the risk of inhalation injuries, burns and hypoxia (oxygen deprivation) are very real risks as well. Flooding – Flooding is a risk for drydock workers who work in graving docks. If water enters a graving dock unexpectedly, workers in the dock can find themselves facing life-or-death scenarios. Forklift and Crane Accidents – Transporting materials and equipment into drydocks or onto vessels with forklifts and cranes can be a dangerous operation. This is especially true if the operator’s vision is obstructed, if the operator gets distracted, or if dry dock workers are unable to get out of the way to avoid being hit or crushed. Shifting Vessels – Dry docked vessels can […]

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Maritime and Underwater Welding Accidents

We Represent Maritime Welders and Families After Serious and Fatal Accidents Maritime welding is a lucrative career, but it can also be very dangerous. Even if underwater welders take all of the precautions that are necessary to protect themselves, they can still suffer serious or fatal injuries due to factors that are completely beyond their control. Understanding the Dangers of Maritime Welding How dangerous is maritime welding? According to a study conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), maritime welders are 40 times more likely to die on the job than workers in other occupations. As a testament to underwater welders’ commitment to their own safety, the data show that the vast majority of fatal accidents do not occur during welding. Whether you have been injured or lost a loved one on the job, you should speak with a lawyer if you are coping with the effects of an underwater welding accident. You may be entitled to significant financial compensation. The Jones Act, Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) and other maritime laws provide maritime welders and their families with clear legal rights, and an experienced lawyer will be able to help you fight for the financial compensation you deserve. Common Factors in Maritime and Underwater Welding Accidents Several factors contribute to the extremely high rate of maritime and underwater welding accidents. When you choose our firm to represent you, we will thoroughly investigate the cause of your (or your loved one’s) accident, and we […]

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A Look Back at Maritime Accidents in 2021

Maritime Injuries Feb 2, 2022

Every year there are numerous maritime accidents in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Gulf of Mexico, and other waters around the world. Unfortunately, 2021 was no exception. There were dozens of serious and fatal accidents last year. While some of these accidents made national or international headlines, most are known only to those who were involved or who lost loved ones too soon.

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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
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Suite #232

Houston, Texas 77029

713-930-1717
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