Houston Maritime Lawyers

When you’ve been injured in or on navigable waters, you are entitled to total compensation for your suffering. Our experienced and aggressive Houston maritime lawyers at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. will work tirelessly to recover your damages in their entirety.

From our office in Houston, we can learn more about how your injuries occurred and work to determine who is responsible. Our team is the nation’s leading maritime injury firm. In 2020, we were named “Lawyer of the Year” in Admiralty and Maritime (Miami) by US News & World Report. We have been named to “Best Law Firms”®  every year since 2016, and all four of our partners are named to “Best Lawyers in America”®. It is hard work and dedication to our clients that has brought these numerous accolades to Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. and they’re the reason why our maritime lawyers are the right ones to handle your case.

Meet Our Maritime Lawyers

Our team of 15 full-time maritime attorneys are ready to help you get the compensation you deserve. We have offices in 7 states strategically throughout the United States, including Houston.

Common Types of Maritime Injury Claims We Handle in Houston

Whether maritime workers are dealing with harsh environmental conditions, dangerous conditions on the vessel, or are Injured due to defective or malfunctioning equipment or materials, they may be entitled to compensation through the Longshore Harbor Workers Compensation Act (LHWCA) or the Jones Act.

Passengers who are vacationing on cruise ships or participating in activities on the water may also have the right to compensation for their injuries if they are injured or harmed due to defective equipment, or become ill or otherwise injured due to the negligent actions of another.

We are able to assist Houston residents in the following practice areas: 

• Cruise Ship Accidents & Injuries
• Cruise Ship Rape
• Cruise Passenger Disappearances 
• Cruise Ship Overboard Accidents
• Cruise Ship Drowning Accidents
• Cruise Ship Medical Malpractice
• FlowRider Accidents
• Seaman’s Claims
• Boating Accidents
• Yacht Accidents
• Jet Ski Accidents
• Parasailing Accidents
• Scuba Diving Accidents
• Barge, Cargo, and Tanker Accidents
• Commercial Fishing Accidents
• Shore Excursion Accidents
• Hotel, Resort, and Vacation Accidents
• Hotel Rape and Sexual Assault

Cruise Lines Operating out of Galveston, TX

According to the Port of Galveston, there were 100 sailings out of one of the largest ports in the United States, with more than 243,000 total passengers. Some of the most popular cruise lines operating out of Galveston, Texas include:

• Carnival Cruise Lines
• Disney Cruise Lines
• Norwegian Cruise Lines
• Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines

Shipping Companies Operating out of Houston

There are multiple shipping companies operating out of Houston and nearby Galveston, TX. These include:

• ProShip Logistics (Ship A Pallet, LLC)
• Texas international freight
• Texas Freight Services Inc.
• Pack n Send
• Hts Services
• Schumacher Cargo Logistics – Houston
• Adelove Shipping – Houston Tx
• COSCO
• Southeastern Freight Lines
• LTL Freight Center LLC

Offshore Drilling Companies Operating out of Houston

There are multiple offshore drilling companies operating out of Galveston, TX and Houston. The booming drilling industry in the area means thousands of workers could be at risk of debilitating maritime injuries. If you have suffered oilfield accident injuries at one of these local offshore drilling companies, you may be entitled to compensation for your suffering:

• Nicklos Drilling Co
• NorAm Drilling Company
• Northern Offshore Drilling Services
• Best Drilling Services
• Big 6 Drilling Co
• Parker Drilling
• Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.
• Valaris
• Scandrill Inc
• Precision Directional Services

Our Firm Recovered Nearly $26 million for Injured Seaman in Houston, Texas

Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. is responsible for one of the largest seaman verdicts in the history of maritime law in Houston, or for that matter the world. 

About the Case:

Our client worked as an oiler and sustained second-degree and third-degree burns over 80% of his body when oil from a poorly-maintained and malfunctioning engine spilled oil all over him and ignited. 

The devastating effects of the accident included severe scarring, loss of the use of both hands, impaired vision and hearing, sexual dysfunction, and totally disabling psychiatric damage. Prior to trial, our client had been paid $190,000 for medical expenses. Under maritime law, the plaintiff alleged that the condition of the engine rendered the ship unseaworthy. 

Our attorneys were able to show that on the prior voyage, the engine had broken down and caught fire two times, so it was clear that the defendant knew there was an issue with the machinery. The ship’s captain, knowing that the engine was a danger, ordered the ship to set sail before replacement parts could arrive and be installed.

The Defense’s Argument:

As part of their defense strategy, the defendant claimed that because the plaintiff was a Mexican national and the ship’s registry and ownership were in Grand Cayman, the U.S. court had no jurisdiction. Our attorneys were able to show that the vessel regularly ported in Houston and paid employees through a Houston bank. 

Additionally, the majority of shares were held by U.S. residents. We gathered evidence of the vessel’s unseaworthiness and defended against an effort to dismiss the suit for lack of jurisdiction.

The Verdict:

By proving our case, our client was awarded $25,843,903 by the US. District Court, S.D. Texas.

What To Do After a Maritime Injury

After a maritime accident in Galveston, you may be unsure of what your next steps should be. Fortunately, when you take the following measures, you can maximize your chances of recovering the compensation and damages you deserve. These steps include:

1. Obtain medical treatment as soon as possible after the accident. Injuries may not be initially obvious, but invisible injuries can be debilitating if they are left untreated. Obtaining medical records from the start is a great way to start off your maritime injury claim.
2. The next step is to inform your employer of your injuries. If you are a maritime worker, it is important to notify your employer of your injuries as soon as possible or you could risk your eligibility for benefits and compensation. You cannot rely on colleagues to notify your employer. They must get the information they need from you to move forward with your maritime injury claims.
3. Be sure to gather evidence to support your case before you meet with the insurance company or your employer. Some examples of evidence that could be helpful include photos of your  injuries, the scene of the incident and any evidence of damaged equipment.
4. Be sure to contact a maritime lawyer in Houston for help. Although your employer and the insurance company may initially seem like they are on your side, it is important to remember that they are looking out for their own financial interests, not yours. Your attorney can help protect your compensation and ensure you are not taken advantage of. Getting started on your case as soon as possible also helps to ensure your claim is filed before the statute of limitations expires.

There are many steps you should take after a maritime accident in Galveston, but there are also a couple of things you should not do. Do not speak with the insurance company, accept an insurance settlement offer, or post anything about your maritime injuries on social media. Doing so could adversely impact the outcome of your case.

Statute of Limitations for Houston Maritime Injury Claims

Whether you are entitled to compensation and benefits through the LHWCA, the Jones Act, an insurance settlement, or a personal injury claim, you need to move forward with your case in a timely manner. 

Each of these legal options for financial recovery has their own statute of limitations in place that could have a significant impact on your ability to pursue the compensation you deserve. These statutes of limitation generally are as follows:

• LHWCA – 1 year
• Jones Act – 3 years
• Insurance Claim – 2 years
• Personal Injury Lawsuit – 2 years

Failure to get your claim filed before this deadline expires will almost surely result in the dismissal of your case. Do not put your compensation at risk. Reach out to our dedicated maritime lawyers in Houston for help today. 

Contact Lipcon, Margulies and Winkleman, P.A., The Nationwide Leaders in Maritime Law

Whether you were injured on a ship as a passenger or as a crewmember, our experienced Houston maritime lawyers will get you get the compensation and justice you deserve. 

With over 200 years of combined experience, our maritime attorneys have won multiple landmark cases in state, federal, and international courts; have helped shape the case law that will govern your case; and have repeatedly been called upon to make television appearances on national news shows when there is a public interest in our area of expertise — admiralty/maritime law.

Contact our award-winning team for a no-cost, risk-free consultation today.