Houston, TX – On March 27, 2018, at approximately 8 a.m., a tragic incident resulted in the death of a crew member on a vessel within the Houston Ship Channel, which is one of the busiest seaports in the United States. While officials have stated that the exact nature of the incident is still being investigated, it has been reported that the victim had to be extracted from a cargo hold of the ship.
The victim’s identity has yet to be revealed, but the Port of Houston and its terminals employ thousands of individuals who are responsible for critical harbor functions such as loading and unloading vessels, repairing or maintaining vessels, and ship building. A lot of these jobs involve workers frequently being exposed to serious hazards, and when accidents occur, the injuries can be devastating – even fatal.
Dangers at the Port of Houston
Injuries while at port can happen in countless scenarios and may stem from situations like inadequate training, faulty materials, unsafe handling practices, or improperly inspected or overloaded cargo. Many of the accidents that may result are preventable through vigilance and companies maintaining a safe environment. If someone is negligent in their responsibility, sometimes innocent workers will pay a very high price.
Some of the serious injuries associated with injuries at port include:
- Mild, moderate, or severe traumatic brain injuries
- Amputated or crushed limbs
- Fractured Bones
- Spinal cord damage or paralysis
- Slipped, herniated, ruptured, or bulging discs
- Severe burns
- Torn ligaments and muscle injuries
- Disfiguring lacerations
- Wrongful Death
What If my Loved One was Seriously Injured or Killed at Port?
When harbor workers and longshoremen are seriously injured, they have certain legal protections under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. While this may require that an employer is held responsible for medical costs, disability payments, and rehabilitation costs, there may be additional damages related to injuries sustained as part of their maritime employment that won’t be covered. This makes it vital to immediately contact a Houston personal injury lawyer who can explain all your options, which may include a third-party lawsuit.
If your loved lost their life due to the actions or negligence of another party, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim or survivor action against those responsible. By working with an experienced attorney, the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased harbor worker may be entitled to recover:
- Medical expenses
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of the family member’s financial contributions
- Loss of the family member’s care, support, maintenance, advice, and counsel
- Loss of the family member’s love, companionship, and comfort
- Loss of inheritance from that family member
- Physical pain and mental anguish
Punitive damages, which are meant to punish the liable party, are also sometimes available in limited situations.
Reach Out to a Houston Port Injury & Wrongful Death Lawyer for Help
Pursuing compensation against a negligent party or individual after a Port of Houston accident can be complicated. You may have to deal with identifying those responsible, filing complex insurance claims, or filing a lawsuit in court, all of which have distinct laws and procedures. Instead of trying to handle these yourself, contact our experienced and trusted wrongful death and harbor injury lawyers of The Krist Law Firm, P.C.
We have more than 40 years of experience helping families recover compensation after tragic harbor and shipping accidents. We have obtained success in similar Port of Houston injury cases and know how difficult this time is for you. That’s why we make it our priority to protect your rights and fight for the maximum compensation possible.
To learn more about how we can help you and your family obtain the closure and financial security you deserve, contact us online or call (281) 283-8500.