What to Do After a Maritime Injury: Advice from Houston Legal Professionals

You were just doing your job—on a ship, a dock, or maybe a rig offshore. Then it happened.

A fall. A snapped cable. An explosion. A moment that changed everything.

Now you’re injured, in pain, and unsure what comes next. The company says, “Fill out this form.” The foreman says, “Take a few days off.” And your gut says… something isn’t right.

If you work on or near the water, your rights and recovery don’t follow the same rules as land-based jobs. That’s why abogados de lesiones marítimas en Houston have specific advice when a serious maritime accident turns your life upside down.

Here’s what to do—and what not to do—after a maritime injury.

Step 1: Report the Incident—But Be Smart About It

Your first move? Report the injury immediately—but carefully.

Whether you’re on a vessel, dock, oil platform, or working for a shipping company, your employer will likely ask for a written statement. This becomes a critical piece of evidence later, so don’t rush it. Avoid downplaying your injury. Be specific, factual, and clear about what happened and how you feel.

If you’re unsure how to phrase things, maritime injury attorneys can help draft or review your statement—especially if you’re being pressured to sign something that feels “off.”

Warning: Never say you’re “fine” if you’re not. That one word can sink your claim later.

Step 2: Get Immediate Medical Attention—Your Choice of Doctor Matters

Maritime employers often push injured workers to see company-approved doctors. Legally, under most maritime laws (like the Jones Act), you have the right to choose your own physician.

Why is this important? Company doctors may underreport the severity of your injuries—or suggest you’re ready to return to work when you’re not.

A medical record from an independent provider is often stronger, more credible, and better for long-term recovery and legal claims.

Pro tip: Make sure your symptoms are documented thoroughly, even if they seem minor at first. Back, neck, or head injuries can worsen over time.

Step 3: Understand the Laws That Protect You (They’re Different on Water)

Most land-based injuries fall under state workers’ comp laws. Maritime injuries? Different ballgame.

Depending on your job, location, and employer, you may be protected by:

• The Jones Act – Covers injuries to seamen caused by employer negligence. Think deckhands, engineers, captains, oil rig workers.
• The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) – Applies to dock workers, shipbuilders, and other maritime employees not classified as “seamen.”
• General Maritime Law – Provides rights to “maintenance and cure” (wages and medical costs) regardless of fault.

Which one applies to you? That’s where abogados de lesiones marítimas en Houston come in. They know the nuances, deadlines, and coverage gaps—and how to navigate them.

Step 4: Do NOT Sign Anything Without Legal Advice

After your injury, your employer (or their insurance rep) may ask you to:

• Sign a release of liability
• Accept a quick settlement
  
• Submit to a recorded interview

Here’s the truth: none of that is in your best interest.

A fast settlement may sound tempting—especially if you’re out of work—but it could cut you off from future compensation for surgeries, rehab, or long-term disability.

Maritime injury attorneys can review any paperwork you’re given and negotiate on your behalf. Once you sign away your rights, they’re often gone for good. So don’t.

Step 5: Start Documenting Everything

Evidence matters. The more you can gather, the stronger your case.

Keep a record of:

• Medical visits and expenses
• Lost workdays and wages
• Photos of the injury or accident scene
• Witness names and contact info
• Your own notes about pain, mobility, and limitations

This isn’t busywork—it’s your personal injury timeline. And it can play a critical role in settlement negotiations or trial.

Why Maritime Injury Cases Are So Complex

Maritime law is notoriously dense and outdated. Many of the statutes protecting injured maritime workers date back over 100 years. Combine that with powerful employers, international waters, and different court jurisdictions, and you’ve got a legal minefield.

That’s why your average personal injury lawyer isn’t enough. You need someone who:

• Understands maritime-specific case law
• Has experience with shipowners and maritime insurers
• Knows how to properly file Jones Act or LHWCA claims

Maritime injury attorneys in Houston live and breathe this stuff. They know the Gulf, they know the rigs, and they know the courts.

Final Word: Don’t Go Down with the Ship

Maritime jobs are some of the toughest—and most dangerous—out there. When you’re hurt, the company may offer sympathy. What they’re really offering? Damage control. For them.

You need your own team. Someone to watch your back, guard your rights, and fight for every dollar you’re owed—wages, medical care, disability, and more.

Don’t sign. Don’t settle. Don’t assume you’re on your own.

Talk to an experienced maritime injury attorney in Houston—and take back control of your future.