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Houston Shipyard Accident Lawyer
If you were injured in a shipyard, dock, or pier accident, you need a maritime attorney who understands the unique hazards of shipbuilding, repair, and vessel maintenance. At Gomez Law Firm, our Houston shipyard accident lawyers fight to hold negligent parties accountable and secure full compensation for your injuries.
Why Shipyard Accidents Are So Dangerous
Shipyard operations combine heavy machinery, rolling cargo, welding, confined spaces, and complex structures. Workers face dangers such as:
- Crane and hoist failures dropping loads
- Welding explosions or fire incidents
- Falls from scaffolding, ladders, or elevated surfaces
- Electrocution or arc flash
- Exposure to hazardous chemicals, fumes, or asbestos
- Slips/trips in poorly maintained walkways
- Unstable hull or structural failure during repair
These risk factors make even routine maintenance tasks potentially life-threatening.
Who Can Be Legally Responsible?
Even if your direct employer is one party, others may be liable:
- Vessel or shipyard owners/operators (for failing to provide safe working conditions)
- Contractors or subcontractors supplying defective equipment, negligent workmanship, or poor site safety
- Equipment manufacturers liable for defects in machinery, cranes, or tools
- Third parties responsible for site safety, staging, or logistics
If any of these parties contributed to the dangerous condition, you may have a viable legal claim.
Legal Protections & Statutes That May Apply
Depending on your role and the work environment, one or more of the following laws may govern your rights:
- Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) — a federal no‑fault system for many dock and shipyard workers
- Jones Act — for workers meeting “seaman” criteria who are injured due to employer negligence
- General Maritime Law / Unseaworthiness — strictly liable claims where vessels or vessels’ equipment are not maintained properly
- Third‑party negligence claims — for outside actors not covered by worker compensation rules
We analyze your role, workplace, and injury to determine which laws give you the strongest claim.
Critical Deadlines You Can’t Afford to Miss
Time limits in maritime and shipyard injury claims are strict:
- LHWCA: 30 days to notify your employer, 1 year to file a claim
- Jones Act / Maritime claims: Generally 3 years from injury date
- Wrongful death claims (if fatality occurs): may be 2 years under Texas law
Missing deadlines or failing to timely report your injury can result in dismissal of your case — even if liability is clear.
Contact us immediately at (713) 868‑5528 to ensure your rights remain protected.
What You Should Do Right After a Shipyard Accident
- Seek immediate medical care—document your injury, get both shipyard and independent medical treatment
- Report the accident in writing to your supervisor or safety manager
- Collect evidence—photos, video, witness names, equipment logs
- Preserve defective equipment or parts—do not discard them
- Avoid signing any waivers or statements until you’ve consulted a maritime attorney
Contact our Houston shipyard accident lawyers for a free review before taking any settlement offer
Real Client Success Stories
- $1.2 million settlement: worker crushed under a dropped load due to crane failure
- $875,000 recovery: welder maimed in boiler repair explosion
- $600,000 negotiated: dockworker suffering spinal injury after fall
These stories reflect our firm’s ability to win for clients in highly technical and dangerous maritime claims.
Client Testimonials
- 4.9 / 5.0 average Google reviews (300+ clients)
- Recognized by trial lawyer associations and maritime law groups
- A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Possibly — but your rights may be jeopardized if deadlines or reporting rules weren’t met. Contact us immediately for an evaluation.
Yes. Even under LHWCA, third-party claims may be available if non-employer negligence contributed to your injury.
Medical costs, lost wages, future care, pain & suffering, disability, and sometimes punitive damages.
No. We represent shipyard injury clients across Texas ports, including Galveston, Freeport, Corpus Christi.
Possibly — we’ll examine vessel flag, location of injury, and applicable maritime law to confirm your rights.
Related Practice Areas & Resources
Serving Houston & Texas Port Communities
We represent shipyard and maritime workers in these areas:
- Houston / Port Houston / Houston Ship Channel
- Galveston and Galveston Bay Shipyards
- Freeport, Port of 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 Time Runs Out
Every moment you wait endangers your ability to recover.
