Have you been injured in an offshore accident near Corpus Christi, Texas? If so, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. Call the Law Office of William J. Tinning, P.C. at (361) 643-9200 for a free consultation with an experienced Corpus Christi offshore accident attorney to learn more about your rights.
For more than 42 years, our firm has represented offshore workers, seamen, longshoremen, and harbor personnel throughout the Gulf Coast. Our legal team has recovered over $300 million for injured workers and their families and has earned a reputation for top results. We are ready to help you navigate complex maritime laws and pursue the full compensation you deserve.
Why Choose the Law Office of William J. Tinning, P.C. After an Offshore Accident in Corpus Christi?
The Gulf Coast is one of the most active maritime and offshore regions in the United States, and accidents here can involve devastating injuries and losses.
Here’s why injured offshore workers in Corpus Christi, TX, trust the Law Office of William J. Tinning, P.C.:
- Over four decades of experience handling maritime and offshore injury cases
- More than $300 million recovered in verdicts and settlements
- Extensive knowledge of the Jones Act, the Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), Maintenance and Cure, and unseaworthiness claims
- A hands-on, client-focused approach with personal attention at every stage
- Deep familiarity with Corpus Christi’s port operations, shipyards, offshore platforms, and Gulf Coast waterways
- A proven track record of taking on large employers, vessel owners, and offshore drilling corporations
- Contingency fees available in all maritime and offshore injury cases
Contact us today for a free and confidential case review with a Corpus Christi offshore accident attorney. We’re ready to stand up for you.
What Is Maritime Law, and How Does It Apply in Corpus Christi?
“Maritime law” or “admiralty law” governs injuries that occur on navigable waters, including the Gulf of Mexico, Corpus Christi Bay, and other offshore areas. Injuries here fall under specialized federal statutes (not traditional Texas workers’ compensation).
Many offshore workers are excluded from state workers’ comp, meaning they must rely on federal maritime protections such as:
The Jones Act
This federal statute gives seamen the right to sue their employers for negligence. You may qualify as a Jones Act seaman if you spend at least 30% of your work time aboard a vessel in navigation.
You may have a Jones Act claim if your injury resulted from:
- Unsafe work procedures
- Inadequate staffing
- Poor training
- Dangerous equipment
- Hazardous deck conditions
- Failure to follow safety protocols
Under the Jones Act, you can recover both economic and non-economic damages, including pain and suffering.
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) provides medical benefits, disability compensation, and rehabilitation services to various workers associated with dock or boat work near the water:
- Dockworkers
- Shipyard workers
- Stevedores
- Terminal operators
- Harbor construction workers
If you were injured while loading, unloading, repairing, or building vessels, you may qualify for benefits.
Maintenance and Cure
Seamen injured in the service of a vessel are entitled to maintenance and cure benefits.
These include:
- Maintenance benefits for daily living expenses
- Cure benefits for all reasonable medical treatment
These benefits apply regardless of fault and must be paid until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement.
The Doctrine of Unseaworthiness
Vessel owners have a legal duty to provide a seaworthy ship.
A vessel may be considered unseaworthy if:
- Decks or passageways are unsafe
- The equipment is defective
- The crew is improperly trained
- The vessel is poorly maintained
- Safety gear is missing or damaged
If unseaworthiness contributed to your injury, you can recover damages directly from the vessel owner.
The Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA)
If your loved one died more than three nautical miles from shore, the Death on the High Seas Act allows surviving family members to pursue compensation for financial losses.
How Much Is My Offshore Accident Case Worth?
Every offshore accident case is different, and the value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, your earning capacity, and which maritime laws apply to your situation. Because offshore injuries can lead to long-term disability, chronic pain, or the inability to return to heavy labor, these cases often involve significant financial damages.
Your case value may depend on factors such as:
- The type and extent of your injuries
- The amount of time you’re unable to work
- Whether your injuries limit your ability to return to offshore employment
- The cost of your medical care, including surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term treatment
- Whether negligence, unseaworthiness, or a safety violation contributed to the accident
- The impact of the injury on your daily life and future earning potential
Offshore workers frequently face lifelong consequences after a maritime accident. That’s why our firm works with economists, medical specialists, and industry experts to calculate the full cost of your losses—both now and in the future.
Before accepting any offer from an employer, insurance company, or vessel owner, speak with an experienced Corpus Christi offshore accident attorney so you don’t leave money on the table.
What Compensation Can You Recover After an Offshore Injury in Texas?
The type and amount of compensation you can recover depend on your classification (seaman, longshoreman, harbor worker, etc.) and where the accident occurred.
Potential compensation may include:
- Medical expenses (emergency treatment, surgery, hospitalization, therapy, long-term care)
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Rehabilitation and vocational retraining
- Pain and suffering (for claims under the Jones Act or unseaworthiness)
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of household services
- Maintenance and cure benefits
- Wrongful death benefits for surviving family members
Our firm works with experts across disciplines to document the full impact of your injuries and ensure that every category of damages is included in your claim.
How Long Do You Have to File an Offshore Injury Claim?
Time limits vary depending on the law governing your claim. In many maritime cases, you typically have up to three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, this could be longer or shorter, depending on the facts.
In all cases, you will lose your right to compensation if you fail to file on time. Speaking with an experienced offshore accident lawyer as soon as possible is the best way to protect your rights.
Common Injuries in Offshore and Maritime Accidents
Offshore work is physically demanding and involves dangerous machinery, unpredictable weather, and high-pressure operations. When something goes wrong, workers often suffer severe or catastrophic injuries.
Our Corpus Christi offshore accident lawyer routinely represents clients who have suffered:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Burns from fires, explosions, or chemical exposure
- Crushed or amputated limbs
- Orthopedic injuries and fractures
- Severe back and neck trauma
- Lung damage from toxic fumes
- Electrical injuries and electrocution
- Drowning and near-drowning injuries
- Psychological trauma, including PTSD
Many offshore workers face permanent disabilities or the inability to return to their previous roles. Our firm understands the long-term impact of these injuries and works tirelessly to secure compensation that reflects the true cost of your loss.
Common Offshore Accidents in Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi’s offshore and maritime industries involve inherent risks. As a worker, you may face hazards ranging from heavy machinery to unpredictable ocean conditions. When employers cut corners or vessels are not properly maintained, catastrophic accidents can and do occur.
At the Law Office of William J. Tinning, P.C., we represent clients injured in offshore accidents such as:
- Slips, trips, and falls on wet decks, gangways, and work platforms
- Rig accidents, including blowouts, fires, and equipment malfunctions
- Crane, winch, and hoist failures
- Falls overboard or from ladders, scaffolding, and elevated walkways
- Toxic exposure to drilling fluids, chemicals, solvents, and fuel vapors
- Cargo-loading accidents, including crush injuries
- Engine room fires, explosions, and electrical hazards
- Vessel collisions, groundings, and allisions
- Heavy lifting injuries and overexertion accidents
- Repetitive strain and orthopedic injuries from demanding offshore labor
Our legal team will investigate your accident, evaluate how it happened, and identify which laws provide you with a right to compensation.
Depending on your job classification and the circumstances surrounding the injury, liability may fall on:
- Your employer
- A subcontractor or third-party company
- Vessel owners or operators
- Equipment manufacturers
- Offshore drilling companies
- Port operators
- Maintenance contractors
Reach out to the Law Office of William J. Tinning, P.C. for help understanding your rights and options after an offshore accident.
Contact Our Corpus Christi Offshore Accident Lawyer Today for a Free Consultation
Offshore and maritime accidents often leave workers facing painful injuries, lost income, and uncertainty about the future. You don’t have to face these challenges alone. At the Law Office of William J. Tinning, P.C., we proudly fight for the hardworking men and women who keep Corpus Christi’s offshore and maritime industries moving.
With over 42 years of experience and more than $300 million recovered, we have the knowledge, skill, and dedication to pursue the full compensation you deserve.
Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an experienced Corpus Christi offshore accident attorney. We are ready to stand up for your rights and help secure the justice you and your family need.