Legal Practice Areas
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Protecting Workers at Sea
Commercial ship accidents can be devastating—not only physically, but legally. At Gomez Law Firm, our Houston maritime attorneys specialize in helping injured seamen, crew members, and commercial vessel workers recover compensation and navigate the complex rules of maritime law.
Types of Commercial Ship Accidents We Handle
We handle injury claims stemming from:
- Commercial fishing vessel accidents (crab, tuna, shrimp, etc.)
- Cargo ship collisions, allisions, and docking accidents
- Crane and cargo operations failure on commercial vessels
- Engine room fires, machinery malfunctions, structural failure
- Slip & falls on deck, gangways, or wet cargo areas
- Hazardous materials exposure and burn injuries
- Tug and barge collisions involving commercial vessels
Your Legal Rights Under Maritime Law
We explain your options in depth:
- Jones Act: Seamen injured due to employer negligence or vessel unseaworthiness can sue under the Jones Act.
- General Maritime Law / Unseaworthiness: You may claim strict liability against a vessel that is unsafe or poorly maintained.
- Maintenance & Cure: Regardless of fault, injured crew often have rights to medical care and living expenses until maximum medical improvement.
- DOHSA (Death on the High Seas): For wrongful death claims when death occurs offshore (beyond 3 nautical miles)
Legal Hurdles & Defense Tactics
Commercial ship claims often face unique defenses:
- Limitation of Liability Act — especially for small vessel owners trying to cap damages
- Comparative fault arguments (employer may argue your negligence)
- Jurisdiction / venue challenges (vessel registry, where the accident occurred)
- Statute of limitations and deadlines (explained further below)
- Employer cover‑ups & alteration of evidence (logs, maintenance records)
Critical Deadlines – Don’t Wait Too Long
Maritime injury claims are time‑sensitive:
- Jones Act & general maritime claims: generally 3 years from the injury date
- DOHSA (wrongful death): typically 3 years
- Depending on contract or vessel flag, shorter deadlines or notice requirements may apply
If you delay filing or fail to preserve your right to sue, your claim may be lost forever.
What You Should Do Immediately After an Accident
- Seek medical attention (ship doctor + shore hospital)
- Report the incident in writing with the vessel’s management
- Document everything — photos, video, witness names
- Save records — maintenance logs, safety records, inspection reports
- Avoid signing statements or releases without legal review
- Contact our Houston commercial ship accident team immediately
These steps help preserve your case.
Case Results & Success Stories
- $2.6 million recovered for an engineer severely burned in a vessel explosion
- $1.9 million settlement for a deckhand crushed under shifting cargo
- $3.1 million jury verdict in a tug‑vessel collision in Galveston waters
These represent the complexity, risk, and reward of maritime litigation. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, but they illustrate our ability to win.
Client Testimonials
We maintain a 4.9/5.0 Google rating (300+ reviews) and an A+ rating with the BBB, plus memberships in maritime law associations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Typically 3 years under maritime law. Some contracts or statutes may impose shorter notice periods.
Only if you qualify as a seaman. Otherwise, you may have recourse under general maritime law or LHWCA (for non-seamen).
The Limitation of Liability Act may shield them—but we have strategies to challenge misuse of that defense.
Missing or altered logs can be a red flag and can support your claim. We will investigate.
Yes. We represent vessel workers from across the Gulf, including those injured in Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and beyond.
Related Practice Areas & Resources
Local Focus — Serving Houston & Gulf Coast Maritime Workers
We serve commercial ship workers along the Texas Gulf Coast:
- Houston / Port Houston
- Galveston & Galveston Bay
- Port Freeport & Corpus Christi
- Port Arthur & Brownsville
Houston Office
1613 Witte Road, Houston, TX 77080
(713) 868‑5528
Brownsville Office
876 West Price Road, Brownsville, TX 78520
(956) 541‑6480
We represent injured passengers and crew from Galveston cruises, Texas Gulf ports, and the Gulf of Mexico.
Act Before It’s Too Late
Time is your enemy in maritime cases.
