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If a storm is brewing a Jones Act Attorney in Houston can help

Tragedy befell the crew of the tall ship Bounty on October 29, 2012. While attempting to maneuver through an area forecasted to be hit by Hurricane Sandy, off Cape Hatteras, the vessel was hit by the storm and sank. Of the sixteen crewmembers, three were seriously hurt. One crewmember was killed, and the captain’s body was never found.

If you or one of your loved ones is an active crewmember on any kind of boat or ship, you know how dangerous this line of work can be. Your life depends not only on your skills and the proper maintenance of the vessel on which you work, but also on fair weather. When a storm like this arises, a lot of questions come up. A Jones Act attorney in Houston can help you navigate the rough legal waters of fault and compensation.

The Jones Act, or Merchant Marine Act of 1920, was put into place to protect US trade against foreign competition. However, that’s not all it does. It also protects US seamen in cases of accidents caused by negligence, poor maintenance practices, and other forms of malpractice on their employers’ parts.

In a case like the sinking of the Bounty, under this act, every essential crewmember would be considered a “seaman” and would be protected. If you live in Texas, and you work as a crewmember on any maritime vessel, you could benefit from talking with a Jones Act attorney in Houston. You should know your rights before an accident happens.

The attorneys at Kirkendall Dwyer LLP are well versed in maritime law and the extent to which the Jones Act can help you in an accident. Call them today, and you’ll be prepared if you’re ever in an accident while you’re on the job.

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Do I need an Offshore Injury Attorney?

If you have been injured while working on a freighter, an oil rig, or a barge, you may be wondering if you need an offshore injury attorney. The simple answer is yes. If your injury was enough to cause you to incur medical expenses and/or lost wages that your employer or their insurance company should be liable for, then it is time for you to consult with a maritime lawyer. Choosing a lawyer can be a very difficult and time consuming process and here at Kirkendall Dwyer LLP, we offer a free case review so you can ask any questions and determine if we are the right fit for you.

Why Can’t I Use a Regular Attorney?

We hear this question a lot, especially from people who have a lawyer they have worked with in the past. The problem with using a traditional lawyer is this- accidents that happen offshore or on the open waters are subject to a different set of laws than those that happen on land. Because the governing laws are different, you need a qualified offshore injury attorney who understands the complex legalities that surround maritime accidents.

Why Kirkendall Dwyer LLP?

Why should you choose us?  Because our experienced maritime lawyers know and understand your rights and are willing to help you fight to ensure that they are respected. We know what types of defenses to use and what types of damages you may be entitled to. You will find that we never charge an up-front fee for our services, and that money is only collected when you collect your settlement or award. If you are looking for a qualified offshore injury attorney to help you fight for your rights and for your compensation, choose Kirkendall Dwyer LLP. Contact us for a free case review today!

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Choosing the right Maritime Injury Attorney matters

The oil industry is big business here on the Texas Gulf Coast, and while that means lots of great jobs, it can also spell out lots of injuries. Maritime injuries are not uncommon, and offshore accidents happen all the time. If you or someone you love has been hurt or even killed in one of these types of accidents, contact a maritime injury attorney with Kirkendall Dwyer LLP today.

Our experienced attorneys know the ins and outs of maritime law. We have studied Admiralty Law, the Jones Act, and more, and we know your rights as a maritime worker. This includes your legal and medical rights. If you were injured offshore, finding an attorney who knows the Jones Act law very well will prove essential to your case.

Insurance companies can be quick to offer settlements that do not take into account the full extent of your injuries, the long term costs, or things like lost wages, pain and suffering, and the like. Don’t let the insurance companies take advantage of you when you can hire a maritime injury attorney who can help keep you and your rights protected.

When you hire a qualified maritime injury attorney from Kirkendall Dwyer LLP, you will find that you don’t have to pay a dime until you get paid your settlement. We also provide free case reviews to help answer any questions you may have and to learn the specifics of your case so that we can better assist you.

Finding the right lawyer for your needs is crucial, and we want to be your first choice. We know maritime law inside and out and we are willing to do what it takes to fight for you. Let our experienced lawyers go to bat for you so that you don’t have to negotiate with insurance companies without proper legal representation.

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BP is back in the Gulf and a Texas City oil rig injury attorney can help workers

In 2010, following the catastrophic Deep Horizon oil spill, BP was temporarily banned from drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. Now, 4 years later, the ban has been lifted, and BP has won its first contract, allowing the company to begin drilling off the coast of Louisiana. New oil rigs in the Gulf mean more employment for maritime workers in Texas. They also mean more workers may need to consult with a Texas City oil rig injury attorney.

BP has struck a deal with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to drop a pending lawsuit in exchange for the EPA allowing BP to begin bidding on new federal contracts again. BP has made moves to ensure that we won’t see a repeat of the 200-million-gallon spill from 4 years ago. However, this still means that workers considering taking on employment with BP should consider all of the potential consequences of working on any oil rig but especially one owned by a company with an accident-prone past.

If you’re concerned about what might happen in the event of an accident, you shouldn’t hesitate to talk to a Texas City oil rig injury attorney, like one of the attorneys at Kirkendall Dwyer LLP, as soon as possible, as they are well-versed in maritime law and worker’s compensation.

If you’ve been in an accident on an oil rig, or you’re just curious about what that kind of scenario will look like if you’re ever unfortunate enough to be in one, you can talk to a Texas City oil rig attorney about equipment maintenance, safety procedures, proper training implementation, and other factors that your employer is responsible for. You can also talk to them about the right course of action for you and your family, should you be injured or killed in an accident.

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An offshore injury attorney can help families get compensation

Whether you’re a passenger or a crewmember, it’s important for you to understand your rights in the event of an accident. If your employer or the owner of the company taking you offshore decides to break safety regulations and put you at risk, then you’re due some compensation. Safety procedures are in place for a reason, and if you are injured or killed through no fault of your own, you’ll want to talk with an offshore injury attorney to get the compensation that you deserve.

Back in 2003, a tragic accident occurred off the coast of Oregon. A passenger fishing vessel capsized, and 11 people – 10 passengers and the master – were killed. The National Travel Safety Board (NTSB) found three major safety issues to be the cause of the accident.

At the time of the accident, there was a small vessel warning out for the area. The master decided to take the trip anyway, ignoring the warning. The major cause of the accident – though it was threefold – was the master’s decision to cross the bay, despite the conditions.

Now, you may wonder, as the master was one of the victims of the accident, who could the families of the other victims go to for compensation? This is when the expertise of an offshore injury attorney, like one of the ones at Kirkendall Dwyer LLP, is needed. The fault should actually lie with the owners of the boat and the fishing company. Their insurance should cover the compensation for loss, pain and suffering.

Unfortunately, insurance companies have to watch out for their bottom line. They will try to pay out as little as possible. That’s why it’s important to consult with an offshore injury attorney. You need to know your rights if you or someone you love has been hurt or killed in a boating accident.

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An Offshore Injury Attorney can get you the compensation you deserve

If you work on an oil drilling rig, a fishing vessel, or a maritime shipping vessel, you already know that your job can be one of the most hazardous in the world. If an accident occurs while you’re offshore, you could be in real danger. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has open investigations of a large number of maritime accidents.

From vessels sinking due to engine fires to vessels colliding and sustaining minimal damage, these things happen every day. An offshore injury attorney can help workers hurt in an accident on their vessel.

Your employer is responsible for keeping the vessel you work on maintained and in good running order. Accidents do happen. Storms come up out of the blue. Well-maintained engines do sometimes catch fire and cause problems. However, if an accident occurs, and your employer is to blame for negligence, you should know your rights, especially if you’re injured during the accident.

An offshore injury attorney, like the ones at Kirkendall Dwyer LLP, can help walk you through your rights and the best course of action if you’ve been involved in an accident at work. Not only are you entitled to worker’s compensation, but you may be covered by the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, otherwise known as the Jones Act.

That’s why it’s important to trust your accident case to an offshore injury attorney instead of a general personal injury attorney. In this kind of case, you’ll need to hire an attorney with experience in maritime law. You may be entitled to more compensation than you might think, especially if you’ve only spoken with your employer and/or their insurance company.

Insurance companies will always try to pay out as little as possible. They will attempt to convince you that you don’t need an attorney and that they’re giving you the best deal possible. Don’t ever hesitate to call a qualified attorney if you’ve been injured on the job.