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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.

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A Galveston oil rig injury attorney works to help rig workers

In February of 2013, Cordell St. Julien was injured while removing rigging from a structure on the BP-owned oil rig where he was employed. St. Julien claims that he was injured due to inclement conditions. According to St. Julien, the water was too choppy that day, and waves were breaking over the rig, sloshing onto the floor where he was working, and creating a slippery surface.

St. Julien has filed a suit in the US Court in Texas against Hornbeck Offshore Services and BP, claiming that work should have been postponed until conditions were not hazardous to the safety of crewmembers. Unfortunately, this kind of situation is not that uncommon in almost any field. Employers are under pressure to make money. They often lose sight of anything but the bottom line, and that’s when injuries can happen. Consulting with a Galveston oil rig injury attorney can help you to know your rights.

St. Julien feels that he would have lost his job had he refused to perform this task on the day that he was told to. He also feels that the task should have been put off until it was safe to perform. Since the rig is owned and operated by US-based companies, and St. Julien is a US citizen, he’ll be covered under the Jones Act of 1920. A Galveston oil rig injury attorney will be able to walk him through all of his rights.

Workers should never have to choose between their jobs and their reasonable safety. While maritime work comes with its risks, a Galveston oil rig injury attorney, like the ones at Kirkendall Dwyer LLP, can help you familiarize yourself with the risks that are expected of you and when you have recourse against unreasonable requests. They can also help you to know your rights in the case of an accident on the job.

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A Galveston Offshore Attorney can help with cruise ship claims

Recent news reports have mentioned incidences of passengers aboard cruise ships being injured or falling ill and unfortunately, many things can happen while you are trying to take a relaxing, luxurious cruise. While most cruises go smoothly and are incredibly enjoyable, for an unlucky few there is a risk of slips, falls, injuries , poor medical care, and even sexual assaults. If you or a loved one have been injured while the passenger or a crew member of a cruise ship, contact a Galveston offshore attorney today.

Why Should I Consult an Offshore Attorney?

Cruise ships are governed by maritime law, which means that they are subject to a different set of laws once they leave the port. A qualified Galveston offshore attorney will be well-versed in maritime law and will be able to properly advise you of your rights as well as to help you fight to ensure that they are upheld. Even if you signed waivers before performing activities onboard the ship or taking a shore excursion, it can be worth your while to contact an attorney to find out what your rights are and to have the best chance of a favorable outcome.

We Handle All Types of Cruise Ship Claims

Whether you are a cruise ship passenger or a crew member, you will find that we have experience with many types of cruise ship claims. When you contact a Galveston offshore attorney from Kirkendall Dwyer LLP, you will be able to receive a free case review so that we can determine how to best help you resolve your claim and to answer any questions you might have about our services or about your case. Whether you are a passenger covered under traditional maritime law or a crew member protected by the Jones Act, we can help with your injury claim!

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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.

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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.

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A Baytown oil rig injury attorney can help you negotiate a settlement

Have you been injured while working on an offshore oil rig, only to find that the insurance company wants to offer you a settlement?  Before you agree to anything or sign any paperwork that may give away your rights to take the matter to court or to receive added compensation, contact a Baytown oil rig injury attorney at Kirkendall Dwyer LLP. An experienced maritime attorney will be familiar with the Jones Act and will know all of your rights as well as to what damages you may be entitled.

The thing with insurance companies is this- they want to pay as little as possible. It’s simple math. The less they pay you, the more money they make. This means that even though the numbers in that initial offer might sound good, they are probably far less than you are entitled to. Without a Baytown oil rig injury attorney on your side, the insurance company is likely to see you as underrepresented and unable to fight for your full entitlement. With Jones Act claims, this can include past and future pain, suffering, lost wages, mental anguish, disfigurement, fringe benefits, and more.

By choosing to work with an experienced Baytown oil rig injury attorney, you gain the support of someone who understands maritime law and the Jones Act who is willing to fight on your side. Negotiating with an insurance company can be notoriously difficult, especially when dealing with an area of law that has so many nuances. Don’t try to go it alone, not when we can help. We don’t charge our clients up front, so you don’t have to worry about trying to come up with legal fees. We don’t collect money until you do. Contact the team at Kirkendall Dwyer LLP today for a free case review.