Houston Maritime Injury Lawyer

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Dinh Law Firm, P.C., recovered a $475,000 settlement in a maritime injury claim after the insurance company pushed back against what the claim was actually worth. Whether you sustained an injury aboard a commercial fishing boat, shrimp boat, offshore platform, or oil rig supply vessel, our Houston maritime injury lawyers are prepared to stand up to employers, vessel owners, and insurance companies that try to undervalue legitimate claims.

Attorney Henry Trinh represents injured maritime workers throughout Houston, helping them pursue compensation under the applicable maritime law. While you focus on your medical treatment and recovery, our team focuses on building the strongest case possible on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.

*Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.

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About Us

At Dinh Law Firm, P.C., we believe hardworking people deserve a lawyer who understands what they’re going through. Founder Tony Vu Dinh grew up in Houston and attended the University of Houston Law Center before opening the firm in 2001.

Over the years, our firm has continued to focus on providing personal attention and practical help to our clients after an accident. Henry Trinh is your attorney, guiding your case and advocating to protect your rights, while Chau Nguyen is your case manager, helping you stay updated and making sure the details of your claim are handled properly.

Our Approach

We know an accident can create problems that go beyond the injury itself. You could be dealing with vehicle damage, medical appointments, and insurance calls. Our team helps manage those challenges by helping with car repairs, arranging medical referrals, coordinating treatment, communicating with insurance companies, and handling all the details.

Houston is home to people from many different backgrounds, and everyone deserves access to legal help they can understand. That’s why Dinh Law Firm, P.C., attorneys serve clients in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, and you don’t need to speak English to understand what’s happening with your claim. We take the time to explain your options clearly so you feel comfortable throughout the process.

Understanding Maritime Injury Cases in Houston

In the U.S., 400,000 people are employed in maritime industries. In the Houston area, thousands of workers make their living on the water and in offshore industries. From commercial vessels operating through the Port of Houston, fishing and shrimping operations along the Houston Ship Channel, and offshore support vessels traveling through the Gulf of Mexico, maritime employees face hazards that are unique to their industry.

Workers aboard commercial fishing boats, shrimp boats, offshore platforms, and oil rig supply vessels encounter dangerous conditions. However, unlike regular workers’ compensation, the Jones Act, a federal law under 46 U.S.C. § 30104, allows injured seamen to recover full damages from their employer for negligence. This protects those who might be working where state jurisdiction might be limited.

Qualifying

However, qualifying as a seaman under the Jones Act isn’t automatic. It depends on factors like:

  • The amount of time a worker spends performing duties aboard a vessel
  • Whether the worker’s job is connected to the purpose or operation of a vessel
  • The type of vessel the worker serves on, such as a commercial fishing boat, shrimp boat, or offshore support vessel
  • Whether the worker’s responsibilities contribute to the vessel’s mission or function
  • The worker’s connection to maritime activities rather than a primarily land-based occupation
  • The location where the injury occurred and whether it involved navigable waters
  • Whether unsafe conditions, employer negligence, or improper equipment contributed to the accident

Because maritime jobs vary widely, determining whether the Jones Act applies requires a close look at the worker’s role, daily responsibilities, and the circumstances surrounding the injury.

Maritime Workers Face Unique Occupational Hazards

Working in the maritime industry means dealing with dangerous conditions that can lead to serious injuries. Not only is the job itself physically demanding, but it also often requires workers to operate around heavy equipment, moving machinery, large cargo, wet surfaces, and changing weather conditions.

Even experienced workers who follow proper safety procedures can be injured when equipment fails, conditions become unsafe, or someone else’s negligence creates a hazard. Some of the most common maritime hazards include:

  • Falls overboard
  • Slips and falls on wet decks
  • Crane failures
  • Winch and cable accidents
  • Fires and explosions
  • Equipment malfunctions
  • Chemical exposure
  • Electrical accidents
  • Falling cargo
  • Vessel collisions
  • Capsizing incidents
  • Confined space accidents

Our maritime accident injury attorney, Henry Trinh, works to uncover how unsafe conditions and someone else’s negligence played a role in your injuries.

Common Injuries Sustained in Maritime Accidents

Maritime accidents can have life-changing consequences for workers. Not only might they face major delays in getting treatment, but they also need to deal with extended time away from their jobs and uncertainty about whether they can even return to the work they depend on. Some of the most common maritime injuries include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Back injuries
  • Shoulder injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Crush injuries
  • Burn injuries
  • Amputations
  • Internal organ damage
  • Hearing loss
  • Vision loss
  • Repetitive stress injuries
  • Toxic exposure illnesses

Serious maritime injuries require extensive care, surgeries, rehabilitation, physical or occupational therapy, pain management, and continued medical treatment. Keeping track of medical expenses, treatment records, and other losses is an important part of building a strong maritime injury claim while showing the full impact on the worker’s life.

Who Could Be Held Liable for a Maritime Injury in Houston?

Unlike many traditional injury cases, in a maritime accident, several companies, contractors, or individuals could have played a role in creating unsafe conditions or contributing to what happened. Some of the potentially responsible parties include:

  • Vessel owners
  • Vessel operators
  • Employers
  • Maintenance contractors
  • Equipment manufacturers
  • Cargo companies
  • Offshore platform operators
  • Third-party contractors
  • Port operators
  • Subcontractors

Understanding how the maritime injury laws apply to the circumstances of the case is important because it can help identify all available sources of compensation and the legal options available to injured workers.

Maritime Injury Laws That Could Apply

In addition to the protections available under the Jones Act, maritime workers have rights under other federal laws and legal doctrines depending on the circumstances of their injury.

Over the years, maritime injury laws have developed to protect workers, and understanding which laws apply can help injured workers better understand the protections and compensation options available to them. Depending on the circumstances, some of the laws that could apply include:

Depending on the situation, how these laws interact can affect the compensation available, the deadlines that apply, and the options an injured worker might have when pursuing a maritime injury claim.

Understanding the Jones Act

The Jones Act, under 46 U.S.C. § 30104, provides important protections for qualifying seamen who are injured while performing their employment duties. Unlike traditional workers’ compensation systems, this federal law allows injured workers to pursue negligence claims against qualifying employers.

Our Jones Act attorney, Henry Trinh, can determine if your employer might be held liable under this act by evaluating your employer’s responsibilities and your own connection to the vessel. The Jones Act could allow you to recover compensation for:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Future lost earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Disability
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Other economic damages

At Dinh Law Firm, P.C., our Jones Act attorneys help injured maritime workers understand these requirements and determine what legal options might be available to them after an accident.

Compensation That Could Be Available After a Maritime Injury in Houston

Depending on whether a claim falls under the Jones Act, general maritime law, or another federal protection, the types of compensation available may vary. That’s why understanding the details of the accident and the worker’s own personal situation is so important. Some of the types of compensation that could be available in a maritime injury claim include:

  • Emergency medical treatment
  • Past, present, and future hospital expenses
  • Surgical costs
  • Prescription medications
  • Physical therapy
  • Rehabilitation expenses
  • Lost income
  • Future earnings
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Permanent disability
  • Disfigurement
  • Home modifications
  • Assistive medical devices

At Dinh Law Firm, P.C., our Houston maritime injury attorneys understand that evaluating the full value of a claim means looking beyond immediate expenses and considering how an injury might affect a worker’s future.

Results for Our Clients

At Dinh Law Firm, P.C., we’re committed to helping injured clients pursue the compensation they deserve. Our firm has recovered over $14 million in accident cases, including a $470,000 recovery in a maritime accident case after the insurance company initially offered far less.

Every case is different, but these results reflect our commitment to building strong claims, standing up to insurance companies, and helping injured workers move forward.

The Importance of Evidence in Houston Maritime Accidents

A strong maritime injury claim often starts with finding out exactly what happened and making sure important evidence is preserved. Over time, key details can become harder to verify, especially when vessel logs, maintenance records, surveillance footage, inspection reports, or witness statements are no longer available.

Our Houston maritime injury attorneys know that a thorough investigation means gathering the right evidence to help uncover the cause and who might be held responsible. Some of the most important evidence in Houston maritime accidents includes:

  • Vessel maintenance records
  • Safety manuals
  • Crew logs
  • Weather reports
  • Coast Guard reports
  • Inspection records
  • Incident reports
  • Photographs
  • Video recordings
  • Witness interviews
  • Medical records
  • Equipment inspections

FAQs

Q: Are There Advantages to Having a Jones Act Attorney Represent My Maritime Injury Claim?

A: Yes, there are advantages to having a Jones Act attorney represent your maritime injury claim. The Jones Act, 46 U.S.C. § 30104, requires an attorney who focuses on the specifics of this federal act and can help determine whether the law applies to your situation. While many maritime attorneys handle a variety of water-related injury cases, a Jones Act attorney has specific experience with the issues affecting federal maritime injury claims.

Q: How Much Has Dinh Law Firm, P.C., Recovered in Maritime Accident Cases?

A: Dinh Law Firm, P.C. recovered a $475,000 maritime accident recovery that Henry Trinh, our Jones Act attorney, negotiated after the insurance company initially offered far less. It’s important to note, however, that every maritime injury case is different, and past results don’t guarantee the outcome of your own maritime injury claim.

Q: Does Dinh Law Firm, P.C., Offer Legal Services for Spanish Speakers?

A: Yes, Dinh Law Firm, P.C., offers legal services for Spanish speakers. We serve clients in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. This means you don’t need to speak English in order to either pursue a maritime injury claim or understand your legal options. The firm works to make communication clear and accessible so that clients can feel informed and confident throughout the process.

Q: How Much Does Dinh Law Firm, P.C., Charge for a Maritime Injury Case?

A: Dinh Law Firm, P.C., handles maritime injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t have to pay attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation in your case. The cost of pursuing a claim can depend on the complexity of the accident, the evidence involved, and the legal services required.

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Hire a Maritime Injury Lawyer: The Local Advantage

When you need to hire a maritime injury lawyer, choosing a firm that understands both maritime law and the Houston area can give your case an important advantage. At Dinh Law Firm, P.C., we’re local, and we’re familiar with the courts and legal procedures that can impact your maritime injury claim.

We regularly handle cases in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Galveston Division, where many maritime and admiralty matters are addressed.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation, or call (281) 879-0447.

Content reviewed by Henry Trinh, Personal Injury Attorney at Dinh Law Firm, P.C. | Last updated: July 2026.

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