Corpus Christi Vessel Injury Lawyer

Experienced Corpus Christi Vessel Injury Attorney

Corpus Christi is one of the most important port cities in the US. The Port of Corpus Christi is the largest petroleum export port in the country and a key shipping hub, and many people in the area spend a great deal of time working on various vessels offshore. This is inherently dangerous work, and if you are injured while working at sea, you will need the help of an experienced Corpus Christi vessel injury lawyer to recover your damages.

Representing Victims of Vessel Injuries in Corpus Christi, TX

The attorneys at Stevenson & Murray have extensive experience representing injured maritime workers in the Corpus Christi area. When you are injured in any type of work at sea, the usual rules that apply to workplace injuries in Texas may not apply to your situation. If your injury happened on a vessel at sea, our team can determine which vessel injury laws apply to your case and help you secure the compensation you need to recover.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were more than 400,000 Americans working in maritime operations in 2024. Most states have workplace injury laws that require employers to carry insurance that compensates victims of workplace injuries, but these rules do not apply when a work injury occurs on a vessel at sea. The Jones Act is one of the most important laws that comes into play in these cases.

We can explain whether the Jones Act applies to your case and, if so, what damages you could be eligible to claim from the shipowner or employer responsible for your injury. Some of the most common causes of vessel injury claims for clients in Corpus Christi include: 

• Regulatory noncompliance. Maritime operations are subject to various strict regulations. If you believe your injury was the result of a shipowner or employer failing to comply with applicable regulations, they not only face liability for your damages but may also be fined and face other penalties from the appropriate regulatory agencies.
• Workplace safety violations. When any safety hazard is reported onboard a vessel, it must be corrected immediately. You may have grounds for a vessel injury claim if you were injured because of a safety hazard your employer failed to address or one that they addressed inadequately.
• Negligent hiring and training. You may have been injured by the actions of another worker onboard the vessel where your injury occurred. If so, your employer may be liable if they failed to conduct a proper background check on that worker, or if they failed to ensure proper training for them.
• Poor vessel maintenance. If your injury was the result of a vessel in disrepair, you may have grounds for a claim against whoever was responsible for the vessel’s maintenance.

These are only a few examples of how vessel injury claims can arise. Stevenson & Murray has successfully helped crew members of tugboats, commercial barges, container ships, ferries, and various other vessels working on the Gulf of America or various other inland waterways. If the Jones Act applies to your injury, we can help you file a vessel injury claim and seek compensation for your damages.

The Jones Act enables an injured maritime worker to seek “maintenance and cure” from their employer. “Maintenance” refers to the cost of living expenses the victim cannot afford while they are recovering from their injury, and “cure” refers to the cost of the medical care they need to recover.

Vessel injuries can be life-changing. Some victims are left with permanent disabilities that diminish their ability to work, and others face very long recovery times, expensive medical bills, and further economic strain while they are unable to work. Our team is confident we can help you recover suitable compensation, so reach out to us as soon as possible to learn how a Corpus Christi vessel injury attorney can assist you.

FAQs

How Do You Prove Liability in a Vessel Injury Claim in Corpus Christi, TX?

Proving liability in a vessel injury claim will require evidence that an experienced Corpus Christi vessel injury lawyer can obtain on your behalf. You may need maintenance records from the vessel in question, eyewitness statements, physical evidence from the vessel where you were injured, and other evidence that your attorney will know how to obtain. Some of this evidence is time-sensitive, so it’s important to have an attorney start building your case right away.

How Much Compensation Can I Recover From a Vessel Injury Claim in Corpus Christi, TX?

The amount of compensation you can recover from a vessel injury claim largely depends on the severity of your injury. If you are claiming maintenance and cure under the Jones Act, you can potentially recover compensation for all medical expenses related to your injury, income you have been unable to earn following your accident, and compensation for the pain and suffering you have endured. Your attorney can estimate the full value of your damages.

What Happens if I Have Been Permanently Disabled by a Vessel Injury in Corpus Christi, TX?

If you have been permanently disabled by a vessel injury, then you may have grounds to claim compensation for the future income you are no longer able to earn, and you likely have grounds to seek substantial pain and suffering compensation to reflect the severity of your injury. Your Corpus Christi vessel injury lawyer can help you calculate projected future lost income, and you are more likely to obtain suitable pain and suffering compensation with their help.

Why Should I Hire a Vessel Injury Lawyer in Corpus Christi, TX?

You should hire a vessel injury lawyer to have a better chance of not only successfully proving fault for your injury, but also a better chance of obtaining as much compensation as possible under applicable vessel injury laws. You have a short time to build and file your case, so it is important that you consult an experienced attorney right away after your accident.

The team at Stevenson & Murray has years of proven experience handling vessel injury claims and other maritime accident claims on behalf of injured clients in Corpus Christi and surrounding areas of Texas. We know you are likely to have lots of difficult legal questions and are ready to provide the answers you need. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Corpus Christi vessel injury lawyer to learn how we can assist with your case.