Houston Offshore Accident Attorney

When accidents happen on oil rigs, ships, or other maritime sites, injuries can be devastating. Insurance companies and employers often try to limit payouts, leaving workers and their families struggling.

At Daly & Black, P.C., our Houston offshore accident attorneys are ready to go ALL IN to fight for your rights and ensure you receive the full compensation you may be entitled to.

Schedule your free consultation today, no fees unless we win.

What Is an Offshore Accident?

An offshore accident is any injury-causing event that happens on oil rigs, ships, or other maritime sites. These accidents often happen where heavy machinery, unpredictable weather, and harsh conditions multiply the risks. These accidents often involve severe injuries, and understanding the common types helps illustrate the dangers workers face:

Offshore Rig and Deck Accidents

Workers face constant risks from falls, being struck by equipment, and crush injuries in confined spaces. Slippery decks and unstable surfaces make accidents even more likely.

Equipment Failures, Fires, and Explosions

Defective or poorly maintained equipment can cause catastrophic injuries. Fires and explosions on rigs or ships often result in severe burns, traumatic brain injuries, and fatalities.

Other Common Risks

Offshore workers are also vulnerable to slip-and-fall injuries, electrocution, falls from heights, and incidents caused by unsafe conditions or negligent supervision.

What Deadlines Apply in Offshore Injury Cases?

When it comes to offshore injury cases, timing can make or break your claim. The deadline, known as the statute of limitations, depends on both the type of work you were doing and where the accident occurred. For example, many seamen covered under the Jones Act have up to three years to file a claim. But not every offshore worker qualifies as a seaman.

If you’re a non‑Jones Act worker, the rules are different: your deadline is tied to the statute of limitations of the nearest state. That means a worker injured off the Louisiana coast may only have one year to act, while someone injured closer to Texas waters might have two.

Miss the deadline, and your chance to recover compensation could disappear entirely. That’s why Daly & Black move quickly. We evaluate your case, identify which law applies, and ensure every filing is made on time. The clock is always ticking in offshore cases; don’t wait until it’s too late.

What Laws Govern Offshore Accident Cases?

Offshore accidents don’t fall under just one rulebook; they are governed by numerous state and federal laws. At Daly & Black, we cut through the confusion and chart the right course for your case.

The Jones Act

For seamen working on vessels—whether drillships, tugboats, barges, or floating oil rigs—the Jones Act provides a powerful tool. It allows injured workers to recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, disability, and pain and suffering if employer negligence played a role. The burden of proof is lighter than in most other areas of law, which gives injured seamen a crucial advantage.

Who Qualifies as a Seaman?

Not every offshore worker meets the legal definition of a seaman. To qualify, a worker must spend a significant amount of their employment, generally at least 30% of their time, contributing to the work of a vessel in navigation.

This can include deckhands, engineers, captains, and crew members assigned to ships, barges, or drilling vessels. Establishing seaman status is critical because it determines whether the Jones Act applies to your case.

Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)

Not every offshore worker qualifies as a seaman. For those who don’t, the LHWCA provides benefits similar to workers’ compensation. This law covers many dock workers and employees engaged in offshore energy exploration under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. It ensures that injuries on navigable waters and offshore rigs don’t leave families financially stranded.

Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA)

When tragedy strikes beyond U.S. territorial waters, DOHSA allows surviving family members to seek recovery for financial losses tied to a loved one’s death. It is a vital protection for families of offshore workers whose lives are cut short in catastrophic accidents.

State Personal Injury Law

Sometimes, state law steps in, particularly when accidents occur near shore or when federal maritime statutes don’t squarely apply. The statute of limitations and recovery rules can shift depending on the closest state, which is why swift legal action is critical.

How a Houston Offshore Accident Attorney Can Help

Insurance companies and employers rarely play fair. Our attorneys know how to level the playing field by:

Preserving Vital Evidence

From the moment an offshore accident occurs, our team acts fast. We secure witness statements, vessel logs, maintenance records, and other critical evidence before it can be altered or lost. Quick action ensures that your case is built on a strong foundation of facts.

Filing Claims Under the Correct Maritime Laws

Every offshore injury case is different. Some fall under the Jones Act, others under the LHWCA, DOHSA, or state personal injury statutes. Our attorneys identify the right legal framework for your claim and file accordingly, ensuring you don’t lose time or compensation by pursuing the wrong path.

Negotiating Aggressively With Insurers and Employers

Insurance companies and offshore operators are well-funded and aggressive. We fight fire with fire. Our attorneys challenge undervalued offers, expose bad faith tactics, and push for the maximum compensation available—always putting your interests first.

Preparing Every Case as if It Will Go to Trial

Even when settlement is possible, Daly & Black builds every offshore accident case with trial in mind. Our trial-ready approach makes insurers and defendants think twice about lowballing claims, and positions us to win if they refuse to deal fairly.

We pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, disability, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and long-term care. From start to finish, you can trust Daly & Black to fight for your future.

The Daly & Black Advantage in Offshore Litigation

When your career, health, and family’s future are on the line, you need more than a lawyer—you need a team that knows how to fight and win. At Daly & Black, we combine courtroom firepower with client-first service.

Relentless Trial Preparation

We prepare every offshore accident case as if it will see a jury. That pressure forces insurers and employers to take us seriously, and it ensures that if your case does go to trial, we’re already steps ahead.

Contingency-Only Representation

You shouldn’t have to worry about paying a lawyer while struggling to recover from an injury. We work on a contingency fee basis; you don’t owe us a dime unless we secure compensation for you. That aligns our interests with yours: we only win if you do.

Transparent Communication

We cut through the legal jargon and keep you informed at every stage. From the first consultation to the final resolution, you’ll always know where your case stands, what comes next, and how we are pushing your claim forward.

Unmatched Tenacity and Resources

Maritime litigation is resource-heavy and complex. We invest the manpower, investigative skill, and financial resources to match the biggest employers and insurers head-on. Offshore workers can trust that Daly & Black won’t back down until every avenue for recovery has been pursued.

FAQ

What types of offshore accidents can an attorney help with?

Attorneys handle accidents involving oil rig injuries, equipment failures, deck accidents, slips and falls, electrocution, explosions, and other serious maritime incidents. If negligence played a role in your injury, you may have a case.

Can offshore workers sue for injuries under maritime law?

Yes. Depending on your status and circumstances, you may have rights under the Jones Act, LHWCA, or DOHSA. Each law has unique provisions, so having an experienced offshore injury attorney is essential to protecting your claim.

Why should I hire a Houston offshore accident attorney?

Maritime law is highly complex. Without skilled representation, you risk losing out on compensation you may deserve. A Houston offshore accident attorney ensures your case is valued correctly, deadlines are met, and your rights are protected from powerful employers and insurers.

Call Today for a Free Consultation

If you’ve been injured in an offshore accident, don’t wait. Evidence can disappear quickly, and deadlines under maritime law are strict.

Call Daly & Black today or schedule your free consultation online.

We’re ALL IN. ALL THE TIME. for injured offshore workers and their families.