Compensation – Page 2 – Offshore Injury Lawyer – Maritime Attorneys – Houston Maritime LawyersOffshore Injury Attorneys

Apr 14, 2014

A Houston maritime lawyer can navigate you through insurance claims

On March 10, 2012, a fishing vessel was attempting to return to its homeport at Newport, Oregon. Large waves broke over the stern of the ship, causing it to lose maneuverability. The vessel was run aground, and the crewmembers were airlifted by the Coast Guard. The fishing vessel broke apart and was lost a day later.

This accident illustrates just how quickly things can go wrong for maritime vessels. If you work on a ship, oil rig, or other vessel, you should keep the contact information available for a Houston maritime lawyer. Fortunately, in the case of the fishing vessel that was lost off the coast of Oregon, no one was injured. However, there was an estimated total of $625,000 in losses from the destroyed ship.

Whether you’re a crewmember, a ship owner, or you deal in fishing, shipping, or another maritime industry, a Houston maritime lawyer can help you understand your rights in a case like this, or any other type of accident. In this case, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that the accident was caused by a series of large breaking waves. Nothing really could have been done to prevent it, so no one was considered at fault.

The vessel and its crewmembers should have been covered under the ship owner’s insurance. However, insurance companies will often attempt to pay out as little as possible. That’s why, if you’re a crewmember, owner, or employer based out of Texas, it’s important to know a Houston maritime lawyer to help you in case of an accident.

When you call for maritime law services, the attorneys at Kirkendall Dwyer LLP can consult with you about your case, courses of action in the event of accidents, and any other questions you might have about maritime law and your business.

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 8, 2014

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.

Apr 6, 2014

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!

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.

Mar 31, 2014

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.