Maritime Law Attorney in Fort Worth
Jones Act & Maritime Accident Claims
Maritime law covers a distinct category of workers and incidents connected to the water: commercial fishing, towing and barge operations, offshore oil and gas, and shipping, among others. It runs on a different set of rules than an ordinary car accident or workplace injury claim, with its own statutes, filing deadlines, and standards of proof.
If you or someone you love has been injured at sea, it is important to involve an attorney who is familiar with these rules. Mizani Law Firm can help you understand how maritime law applies to your situation and what compensation you may be entitled to. We are committed to helping people in Fort Worth whose work regularly takes them onto the water in the Gulf and beyond.
Injured while working on the water or offshore? Get a free case review with a maritime lawyer in Fort Worth. Call (214) 484-0609.
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“I highly recommend The Mizani Law Firm! I was injured and needed legal help on short notice, and they interviewed me in person and thankfully stepped in to take my case. From start to finish, they were professional, compassionate, and truly fought for me.”- Linda H.
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$5,750,000 Construction Site Accident
Settlement for a client who fell from a roof on a construction job. There were no safety measures put in place at the time of the fall.
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$1,000,050 Injuries from an Assault
Settlement on behalf of an individual who suffered injuries as a result of an assault.
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$900,000 Defective Product
Wrongful-death case involving a defectively designed product.
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$850,000 Products Liability
Settlement on a products liability case.
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$555,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Unanimous trial verdict plus prejudgment interest in a motor vehicle lawsuit.
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$500,000 Motorcycle Accident
Wrongful-death case involving a motorcyclist who was struck by another vehicle.
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$487,737 Motor Vehicle Accident
Won on behalf of a client who sustained injuries to his lower back as a result of a rear-end collision.
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$475,000 Drunk Driving Accident
Settlement for a client who was injured as a result of a drunk driver.
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$450,000 Premises Liability
Client sustained injuries while being transported from the jet bridge onto an airplane.
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$350,000 Workplace Injury
Settlement for a client who was injured while at work.
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$320,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Settlement for a client who was rear-ended by another vehicle while stopped in traffic.
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$315,000 Commercial Vehicle Accident
Client sustained injuries after being struck by a commercial vehicle.
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$305,000 Injuries Resulting from an Uber Driver
Obtained for a client who was injured as a passenger in a Uber vehicle.
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$300,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Settlement for a client who was injured in a motor vehicle collision.
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$300,000 Slip & Fall
Obtained for a client who injured her shoulder when she slipped and fell at a national chain restaurant.
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$250,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Client was injured when a vehicle crashed into the nail salon where the client worked.
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$240,000 Workplace Injury
Settlement for a client who was injured at a construction site when he made impact with a bulldozer.
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$210,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Client sustained injuries in a T-bone collision caused by a driver who failed to yield the right of way.
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$200,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Client sustained injuries in a motor vehicle collision for which the insurance company initially denied both liability and coverage.
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$200,000 Premises Liability
Settlement for a client that slipped and fell at a clothing store.
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$177,500 Trucking Accident
Proudly represented a military veteran who was rear-ended by a commercial truck while parked at a railroad crossing.
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$175,000 Premises Liability Injury
Settlement for client who fell as a result of uneven flooring when visiting an aquarium.
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$140,980 Motor Vehicle Accident
Fought on behalf of a client who was a back-seat passenger in a vehicle that was hit by another negligent party.
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$140,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Recovered for a client who was “t-boned” by another vehicle while crossing an intersection.
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$131,055 Motor Vehicle Accident
Obtained for a client who was involved in a motor vehicle collision.
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$120,000 Slip and Fall Injury
Obtained a settlement for a client who slipped and fell at a restaurant.
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$101,000 Premises Liability Injury
Obtained a settlement for a client who sustained injuries in a premises liability case.
How Maritime Law Applies to Workers
Maritime law includes a patchwork of statutes and doctrines that apply depending on who was hurt, where they were hurt, and what they were doing when they were hurt.
Here are the most important pieces:
- The Jones Act (46 U.S.C. § 30104) allows an injured seaman to sue their employer for negligence, a meaningfully easier standard than what land-based workers typically face. Seaman status generally requires that a worker's duties contribute to a vessel's function and that they have a substantial connection to a vessel in navigation, in terms of both duration and nature of the work.
- Unseaworthiness, a doctrine under general maritime law, holds a vessel owner responsible when the vessel, its equipment, or its crew are not reasonably fit for their intended purpose, regardless of whether the owner was negligent.
- Maintenance and cure is a no-fault obligation requiring a vessel owner to pay for an injured seaman's basic living expenses and medical care during recovery, regardless of who caused the injury.
- The Death on the High Seas Act (46 U.S.C. §§ 30302–30303) provides a wrongful death remedy for the families of workers who die more than three nautical miles from shore.
- The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (33 U.S.C. § 901 et seq.) is a no-fault federal workers' compensation system covering workers who load and unload vessels, build and repair ships, or otherwise work at the water's edge without qualifying as seamen.
- The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. § 1333(a)(2)(A)) applies the law of the adjacent state to injuries on fixed platforms on the Outer Continental Shelf, meaning Texas law often governs injuries on platforms off the Texas coast.
frequently asked questions
Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 214-484-0609 today!
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The Jones Act requires proving employer negligence, but has a lower bar than ordinary negligence claims and allows for broader damages than typical workers' comp, including pain and suffering. Traditional workers' compensation, by contrast, doesn't require proving fault but caps what you can recover.
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Maritime law protects qualifying workers regardless of citizenship status, as long as the injury and employment relationship otherwise meet the legal requirements.
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Jones Act claims generally must be filed within three years, under 46 U.S.C. § 30106. Other maritime claims may have different deadlines, so it's important to consult an attorney promptly.
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Retaliating against a seaman for reporting an injury or pursuing a Jones Act claim is prohibited. An attorney can advise you on your specific protections if this has happened to you.
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Seaman status can be genuinely unclear, especially for workers who split time between a vessel and shore-based duties. A Fort Worth maritime law attorney can review your specific work history and job duties to determine which laws and processes apply to your case.
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