Houston Ship Building Accident Lawyer
As a Houston ship building accident lawyer, we are experienced in handling injury claims filed by seamen and anyone working aboard a vessel. If you were injured while working on the actual construction of a ship or while performing job duties related to it, call our office and schedule a consultation. As experienced offshore injury attorneys in Houston, we can let you know whether your case falls under state jurisdiction and should be filed under workers compensation laws, or if you have a claim under The Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation or Jones Acts.
You should bring the following items to your consultation:
- Employment agreement (if you have one)
- Pay stubs prior to your injury and post-injury
- Contact information for your doctor
- Contact information for your employer
- Any correspondence you have regarding your injury claim or accident
- Witness contact information (if any)
- Pictures or other evidence that can be used in your case
How to Tell if You Are Covered Under the Jones Act or the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act
If you are working in the maritime industry and are land based, you probably qualify for benefits under the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act. Otherwise, any crew member of a vessel is covered under the Jones Act. You need to be a direct employee and on a vessel or en route to a vessel that you happen to be working on. For example, if you worked on a supply ship and were injured on that ship, you would be covered. Simultaneously, if you were being transported to the main ship on a smaller boat and injured yourself in the process, you could be covered under the Jones Act.
Crew members are defined as anyone working on a vessel. This can include construction crews; tankermen; pilots; the captain; first, second, and third mates; roughnecks; and so forth. If you were injured while working to construct a vessel and are still unsure whether you would qualify under the Jones Act, call our office and schedule a consultation. We will be happy to discuss your case and its details and let you know whether or not your particular employment meets the qualifications.
Supreme Court Decision: What Is a Vessel?
In Stewart v. Dutra (2005), the Supreme Court ruled that a vessel is a “watercraft that is used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water.” There are certain obvious instances of something meeting this definition. However, this can be a gray area when it comes to shipbuilding or offshore construction in general. For example, if a drill platform were being constructed, there is a chance that it could be considered a vessel, but that really depends on whether or not it is capable of being used in open water or if it’s going to be fixed in place. Simultaneously, construction crews that happen to be transported regularly to and from the platform could be protected under the Jones Act if they were injured while being transported to work.
Get Your Questions Answered by a Houston Shipbuilding Accident Lawyer
If you were injured while working aboard a ship, it is critical that you take the steps necessary to protect your rights. One of them is to hire an attorney and file a lawsuit prior to the statute of limitations running out. If you wait too long, you may be unable to file suit in court. You can prevent this from happening by calling Zehl & Associates at 1-888-302-3838.
