Maritime Accidents in Beaumont

In the aftermath of a maritime accident, your choice of legal representation can determine the outcome of your case. David W. Starnes Attorney At Law delivers results-driven legal counsel for injured seamen, offshore workers, and maritime professionals in Beaumont, navigating Jones Act claims, maintenance and cure disputes, and wrongful death suits. We act quickly to investigate your accident, preserve critical evidence, and pursue maximum compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and future care.

Call (409) 835-9900 for immediate legal guidance.

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Which Laws Apply to Maritime Accident Claims?

Maritime law—often called admiralty law—is the legal framework that applies to disputes and offenses that happen on navigable waters like oceans, rivers, and sizable lakes. It’s the rulebook for the high seas and busy harbors, shaping everything from international shipping routes to weekend boating mishaps.

This body of law has its own set of principles, separate from general personal injury law. It includes long-standing doctrines like maintenance and cure (an injured seaman’s right to medical care and living expenses), seaworthiness (the vessel owner’s obligation to provide a safe ship), and the Jones Act, which gives seamen the right to sue employers for negligence.

Maritime law reaches into areas such as cargo losses, vessel collisions, marine insurance claims, and injuries to longshore workers. Cases often end up in federal court, although plaintiffs can sometimes choose state court under the “saving to suitors” clause. What makes maritime law especially complex are its unique deadlines for filing claims and different standards for proving a case. Given its complexity, effective navigation of maritime law requires knowledgeable legal counsel to ensure compliance and maximize the likelihood of a favorable outcome.

What Qualifies You To Pursue a Maritime Lawsuit?

To file a maritime lawsuit, the injured party must meet specific criteria depending on their classification under federal maritime statutes.

The most common categories include:

• Seamen under the Jones Act: Eligibility requires that a minimum of 30% of your job duties take place aboard a vessel or identifiable fleet in navigable waters. As a seaman, you’re entitled to sue your employer for negligence and claim maintenance and cure benefits.
• Longshore and harbor workers: If you’re a dockworker, shipbuilder, or engaged in maritime-related activities onshore, coverage may be available to you under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA).
• Passengers and third parties: Passengers injured due to vessel operator negligence or failure to follow maritime safety regulations may pursue claims under general maritime law.
• Fishermen and offshore workers: Injuries occurring aboard commercial fishing boats or oil rigs may qualify under specific maritime statutes, such as the Jones Act or the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA).

Eligibility also depends on whether the injury occurred on navigable waters and whether the incident involved traditional maritime activity. Case viability can depend on vessel status, ownership liability, and whether unseaworthiness or regulatory violations contributed to the event.

David W. Starnes Attorney At Law: The Maritime Injury Lawyer You Need on Your Side

At David W. Starnes Attorney At Law, we handle maritime accident litigation with a command of federal admiralty statutes, case precedent, and maritime-specific evidentiary standards.

Our practice is equipped to:

• Investigate vessel and employer liability
• File claims under the Jones Act
• Represent longshoremen and dockworkers
• Negotiate with marine insurers
• File federal court actions

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Maritime law is complex, but with David W. Starnes Attorney At Law, you gain a legal partner who knows how to protect your income, health benefits, and long-term stability. We focus on uncovering every opportunity for recovery so your claim reflects the full extent of your loss.

Looking for a maritime accident attorney in Beaumont? Contact us at (409) 835-9900.