Galveston

Port of Galveston

The Port of Galveston has created nearly 30,000 jobs for maritime workers and is a major contributor to the Galveston local, Texas State, and federal economy. Seafarers in Texas work on numerous types of water vessels, including cruise lines, cargo ships, chemical transporters, barges, and more.

Maritime workers are at a significantly higher risk of injuries, illnesses, and/or catastrophic accidents on-the-job. These incidents could result in excessive long-term, physical, financial, and emotional damages. All maritime workers are protected under maritime law, including crew members, mechanics, cooks, dock, and warehouse workers.

Maritime workers are protected under different laws than land-based employees when they are injured on the job. Legal representation in these cases will require an attorney who specializes in maritime law. A maritime personal injury lawyer can build a case to prove that someone is liable for your accident and injuries.

Willie D. Powells III fights hard for clients who are injured at the Port of Galveston or any other port throughout the state. Contact an experienced maritime lawyer today to begin building your case. Willie D. Powells III will work hard to gather evidence, prove liability, and fight for the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to in your case.

About the Port of Galveston

The Port of Galveston is the oldest Port, west of New Orleans, in the Gulf of Mexico. The channels at the Port of Galveston provide maximum depth capabilities of up to 40 feet. This allows the port to provide services for deep draft vessels, and intra-coastal and ocean barges.

The Port of Galveston offers pier space, terminals, storage facilities, and services to accommodate all water vessels. The Port is also the largest cruise port in the state of Texas.

Port of Galveston Imports and Exports:

Fertilizers
Produce
Machinery
Motor Vehicles

Port of Galveston Features:

775,000 Bulk Barrel Capacity
40 Ft. Depth
Roll-On/Roll-Off Capabilities
Truck and Rail

Port of Galveston Marine Repair Facility

The Port of Galveston also features a full-service marine repair facility on-site. The Pelican Island Marine Facility provides an extensive list of premier ship maintenance and repair services. The facility also features a lift capacity of 60,000 tons.

Accidents at the Port of Galveston

There are numerous accidents that could occur at the Port of Galveston. These accidents may potentially result in serious injuries and/or lingering partial or total disability.

Maritime workers are often tasked with labor intensive jobs requiring the utilization of heavy machinery in a fast-paced environment. This high-risk environment places maritime workers at a significant risk of suffering from injuries, illnesses, and catastrophic accidents.

Dock and pier workers are also at risk of serious injuries and accidents, including:

Accidents w/Heavy Equipment
Broken Bones
Slips and Falls
Overboard Accidents
Winch/Crane Accidents

Storms are an ongoing threat to all maritime workers. Employers and ship operators are responsible for maintaining knowledge of the latest weather patterns. Working on the ship and at the Port of Galveston during a storm is extremely dangerous. High winds and heavy rains result in decreased visibility and increase the risk of serious accidents.

For example, a worker could be dislodged overboard if a captain fails to heed forecasted storms.

There are several environmental, circumstantial, and human errors that could result in a catastrophic accident at sea. These accidents may result in excessive damages, injuries, and/or fatalities.

Chemical Burns
Fires/Explosions
Ship Collisions
Overboard Accidents

Maritime workers are also exposed to potentially highly unhygienic working conditions. Employers are required to minimize these hazards through food safety and hygiene protocol. Failure to enforce a safe work environment can lead to numerous food-borne, viral, and/or bacterial illnesses.

In February of 2022, a 58-year-old woman fell from the mast of the tall ship Elissa. The woman was a volunteer for the Port of Galveston Museum onsite. The fatal accident was determined to be caused by the failure to follow safety harness procedures.

Legal Rights for Galveston Maritime Workers

Maritime workers who are injured at the Port of Galveston are entitled to certain rights when they are injured as a result

Liability in Maritime Accidents

There are several parties who may be held liable for the injuries that occur as a result of negligence. Responsible parties may include your employer, another crew member, product manufacturers, etc.

Employers are most commonly determined to be responsible in the majority of maritime personal injury cases.

Examples of Employer Negligence:

Inadequate Training
Failure to Enforce Safety Regulations
Failure to Inspect Heavy Machinery/Equipment
Poor Equipment Maintenance and Repairs

Your employers are not legally required to be fully responsible for accidents. .Your maritime injury lawyer will only need to prove that employer negligence contributed to your injury-causing accident.

All maritime workers are entitled to specific forms and amounts of compensation when they are injured at sea. Forms of compensation may include medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, punitive damages, and more.

Injured maritime workers have a legal right to seek adequate legal counsel for their claims. Your employer and the insurance company will work to protect their best interests.

Seeking the help of an experienced Port of Galveston maritime injury lawyer is the only way to get maximum compensation in your case. Choose an attorney that has the experience to build a winning case in admiralty court.

Maritime employers are automatically required to provide medical care, regardless of the cause of your on-the-job accident.

The forms and amounts of compensation that you are entitled to receive will be determined by the unique circumstances in your case. There are several acts that may be applicable under maritime law, including:

The Jones Act
Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act
Death on the High Seas Act

The Death on the High Seas Act provides qualified surviving relatives with compensation in the event that a loved one dies at sea.

Contact a Texas Maritime Lawyer for Help

Contact a Texas Maritime Lawyer for help today if you have been working at the Port of Galveston or at any port throughout Texas.

Maritime laws are complex and governed under an entirely different legal system known as admiralty court. A mainstream personal injury lawyer does not have the knowledge, experience, or resources to sufficiently represent these cases in a court of law.

Willie D. Powells III understands the financial and emotional toll caused by accidents that occur at Texas ports and at sea. You deserve to recover in peace. Reach out to Willie D. Powells III today. Willie D. Powells III will work hard to gather evidence, prove liability, and build a case to fight for you.

Port of Beaumont
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Port of Galveston
Port of Houston
Port of Port Arthur

Contact Willie D. Powells III today if you or a loved one has suffered injuries at the Port of Beaumont or at any other ports along the Gulf of Mexico. Call Willie D. Powells III immediately if you or a loved one has been hurt at 281-881-2457.