Wrongful Death – Page 3 – Offshore Injury Lawyer – Maritime Attorneys – Houston Maritime LawyersOffshore Injury Attorneys

Apr 18, 2014

A Jones Act attorney in Houston can help you

More oil drilling is going on in the Gulf of Mexico today than there was before the BP oil spill in 2010. This huge resurgence in domestic oil means a lot for American maritime employment. Not only do the oil rigs need more workers, but this means that more ships are going to be built in the US, which will also need more crewmembers. It looks like we’re about to see a huge boom in the maritime shipping business. That’s good news for you if you’re a maritime worker.

At the same time, with new employment opportunities and new ships being built in the US, as a maritime worker, you should probably go ahead and talk to a Jones Act attorney in Houston about what to do in case of an accident and how you’ll be covered.

The Jones Act protects American companies and maritime workers against international competition, and it has stipulations for recourse in the case of an accident while on the job, as well. That means that, if you get a job on a US-built and owned vessel, you could be covered in ways that you haven’t been before. No one wants an accident to happen, but it’s best to plan for the worst-case scenario.

You and your family should talk to a Jones Act attorney in Houston to understand what should be done in the case of your injury or death. You want to make sure that your family is taken care of, should the worst happen. A Jones Act attorney in Houston, like the ones at Kirkendall Dwyer LLP, can help you understand the coverage you have by law and what kind of actions you might have to take in the future, if something happens while you’re on the job.

Apr 16, 2014

A Houston maritime lawyer will fight for your rights

Did you know that accidents and injuries that happen offshore are subject to a completely different set of laws than accidents and injuries occurring on U.S. soil? Maritime law is a very complex form of law governing incidents that happen in open waters. Many injuries fall under maritime law, including offshore drilling accidents, tug and fishing boat accidents, and seaman injury cases. If you or a loved one have been injured in an offshore accident, contact a Houston maritime lawyer today who is willing to help you understand and fight for your rights.

Knowing your rights is always important, and it can be downright critical when negotiating with your employer or an insurance company to ensure that you receive the care and damages you deserve. As the victim of a maritime accident, you have the right to medical treatment, rehab, compensation for pain and suffering and also for lost past and future wages. For seamen who become injured or ill while serving on their vessel, there is also the right to free medical care, shelter, food, and much more. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of their rights under maritime law and end up entering into settlements that negate their entitlement. This is why a qualified Houston maritime lawyer is so important.

Here at Kirkendall Dwyer LLP, we can help you find the right Houston maritime lawyer for your case. We will provide you with a free case review, where we will go over the details of your accident or injury and work to answer any questions that you may have about us or about your case. You will find that we do not charge until you receive a settlement or award, so you don’t have to worry about making a payment up front. If you or a loved one have been injured offshore, make sure you hire an attorney who is willing to fight for your rights.

Apr 12, 2014

A Houston maritime lawyer can help in times of tragedy

Anytime an offshore worker is injured or killed while doing his or her job, it is a tragedy. These injuries are not uncommon, and in cases like the Seattle-based ALASKA OCEAN, accidents onboard the ship can even result in death. In the case of the ALASKA OCEAN, a welding job ignited acetylene gas, resulting in an explosion that killed a fisherman onboard the ship. While this particular case did not happen in Texas cases like this can and do happen in our area- and when they do, a Houston maritime lawyer can help.

Insurance companies are quick to jump in when injuries or accidents occur on fishing boats, oil rigs, and other offshore vessels. While a quick settlement might sound like a dream come true for families struggling to pay medical expenses without the income of the job the injured person performed, the settlements offered by insurance companies to individuals without proper legal representation are rarely enough to cover long-term costs, lost wages, mental anguish, and in wrongful death cases, funeral expenses. An experienced Houston maritime lawyer can be one of the best investments that an injured person can make following a boating or work-related accident that happened offshore.

Maritime law can be very complex, and an attorney who specializes in this area of law is highly recommended for cases of injury or wrongful death that occurred while offshore. A Houston maritime lawyer from Kirkendall Dwyer LLP will be happy to talk with you about your case and to help you understand the options available to you. We don’t collect any money until you receive a settlement or award, so you don’t have to worry about coming up with attorney’s fees while struggling to make ends meet. You focus on your recovery, and let us focus on helping you with your case.

Apr 10, 2014

A Houston maritime attorney can help you with your injury claim

On March 22, 2014, an oil barge and a ship collided in the Houston Ship Channel, one of the busiest shipping channels in the country. The crash took place near the famed Texas City Y, the spot where the Houston Ship Channel, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the Texas City and Galveston Ship Channels meet. Thankfully, only minor damage was done to the oil barge, although it did leak some of its contents into the surrounding water. While no injuries were reported, collisions like this can result in all manner of injuries and even in death.

If you are injured or if you lose a loved one in a barge or tanker collision, you will require the services of an experienced Houston maritime attorney. Maritime law can be very complex, and hiring a traditional personal injury or wrongful death lawyer is not the way to go. You need someone who is very well-versed in maritime law and who knows what your rights and entitlements are according to that set of laws. By making the right choice when hiring an attorney, you give yourself the best chance at a positive outcome.

When looking for an experienced Houston maritime attorney, contact the team here at Kirkendall Dwyer LLP. We will provide you with a free case review and will work to answer your questions and to learn as much as we can about your case. We don’t collect a penny until you do, so there are no up-front fees to worry about. We know that you have enough on your plate worrying about dealing with your injury or loss and trying to figure everything out. Put your case in our hands and let us handle the courts and the insurance company so that you can put your focus where it needs to be – on your recovery.

Apr 4, 2014

A Houston maritime attorney can help after a tanker accident

On March 7, 2014, an oil tanker crashed into the Memorial Bridge connecting Portsmouth, NH and Kittery, ME. The 600-foot tanker had just finished unloading diesel fuel before the collision occurred. While there were no injuries reported, the ship and bridge both sustained damage. Tanker accidents like this one injure Texas residents every year, and many try to brave settlement negotiations with the insurance company without the help of a qualified Houston maritime attorney.

Simply put, maritime law is very complex and is quite different from traditional law. While general personal injury lawyers are helpful for a variety of situations, they are not recommended when maritime law is applicable to the injury, as they simply do not know the complexities of the laws governing the open waters. Instead, if you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one offshore, it is highly recommended that you solicit the services of a Houston maritime attorney who can help ensure that your rights are fully protected and fought for.

Tanker accidents can be very serious, and the laws surrounding them can be very complicated. In many cases of injury, the insurance company will rush to offer a settlement that may not cover all the types of damage to which you are entitled. You need a qualified Houston maritime attorney at your side who is willing to fight for you. At Kirkendall Dwyer LLP, we offer free case reviews for every potential client and we never charge our clients until they collect a settlement or award. If you are looking for an attorney who will put your best interests first and will fight for you, contact us today. A member of our experienced legal team will be happy to get back to you as quickly as possible to get started helping you with your case.

Apr 2, 2014

A Galveston offshore attorney can help maritime workers and their families

In the Gulf of Mexico, on September 8, 2011, the lift boat Trinity II capsized, due to sustained damage from weathering Hurricane Nate. The crew donned life vests and evacuated the vessel. Of the 10-person crew – all of whom made it off of the ship, clinging to a single 12-person emergency life float – 3 died by the time emergency services found them. Unfortunately, a fourth later died in the hospital, as well. All 6 of the survivors sustained serious injuries.

This case goes to show how not only crewmembers, but also their families should seek consultation with a Galveston offshore attorney. If you or one of your loved ones is a maritime worker based in Texas, you should call a Galveston offshore attorney, like the ones at Kirkendall Dwyer LLP, to learn your rights in the case of an accident like this.

Under the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, crewmembers of maritime vessels built, owned, and operated in the United States have special rights to compensation if they are injured on the job. That’s why it’s so important to employ a Galveston offshore attorney. They can help you navigate through the laws that apply to your case.

In the case of the Trinity II, the accident was caused by the effects of a hurricane. Hurricanes, unfortunately, can’t always be avoided. However, maritime vessels need to be maintained for the safety of their crews. A well-maintained vessel will have a greater chance of surviving a bad storm than one that has been neglected. Negligence can lead to loss of life.

If you are a maritime worker, you should know your rights. After speaking with a maritime attorney, you may be able to point out maintenance needs and areas of negligence to your employer before something happens. In the case of a bad accident, an offshore attorney can help you and your family find the right course of action.