📹 Watch the Highlight
🎬 Watch the Full Video
Navigating Troubled Waters: Your Complete Guide to Offshore Accident Lawyers in Texas
If you’ve been injured while working on an offshore oil rig, vessel, or platform in the Gulf of Mexico, you’re facing a situation that is legally, medically, and financially overwhelming. The immediate aftermath of an offshore accident is chaotic: you’re dealing with severe injuries, worried about lost income, and confronting a complex web of maritime laws that most attorneys never encounter. At Attorney911—The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC—we are Texas’s “Legal Emergency Lawyers™” with 25+ years of experience specifically handling offshore and maritime injury cases. Managing attorney Ralph Manginello, admitted to practice in 1998 and before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, has built a practice that includes former insurance defense attorney Lupe Peña, giving us an insider’s advantage against the very corporations and insurers you’re up against. This comprehensive guide will explain exactly what an offshore accident lawyer does, why maritime law is uniquely complex, and how our Houston-based firm with offices in Austin and Beaumont has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for injured maritime workers across Texas.
The Unique World of Maritime Law: Why Offshore Accidents Are Different
An offshore accident lawyer is a specialized type of personal injury attorney who focuses exclusively on injuries occurring on “navigable waters.” As Ralph Manginello explains in our video, these cases involve admiralty law (also called maritime law)—a distinct body of federal statutes, regulations, and legal precedents that govern activities on water. This isn’t standard Texas workers’ compensation or a typical car accident claim. The legal framework governing your offshore injury could include the Jones Act (46 U.S.C. § 30104), the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (33 U.S.C. § 901), the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. § 1331), or general maritime law doctrines. Determining which laws apply is the critical first step that dictates your rights to compensation, and getting it wrong can mean losing your claim entirely. In our experience, insurance companies and offshore employers immediately begin analyzing which legal framework offers them the most protection and you the least compensation. That’s why you need an attorney who doesn’t just practice personal injury law but has specific experience with maritime statutes and federal court procedure.
What Exactly Does an Offshore Accident Lawyer Do?
An offshore accident lawyer provides comprehensive legal representation to injured maritime workers, but their role is far more specialized than most realize. At Attorney911, our offshore accident attorneys perform these critical functions:
- Case Evaluation & Legal Framework Analysis: We immediately determine whether your case falls under the Jones Act (for “seamen”), the Longshore Act (for certain harbor workers), or general maritime law. This analysis affects everything from who can be sued to what damages are available.
- Immediate Evidence Preservation: Offshore accident evidence disappears rapidly. Equipment is repaired or replaced, vessel logs are “updated,” surveillance footage from platforms and vessels is routinely overwritten (often within 30 days), and witness memories fade. We issue formal spoliation letters and preservation demands the moment you retain us.
- Comprehensive Investigation: We investigate the accident using maritime experts, safety consultants, and former industry professionals. We examine maintenance records, safety protocols, weather data, crew training records, and equipment certification—all areas where negligence often hides.
- Medical Liaison & Life Care Planning: For serious injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or amputations, we work with medical specialists to document your current treatment needs and future care requirements through formal life care plans, which are essential for calculating long-term damages.
- Negotiation with Multiple Insurers: Offshore accidents typically involve multiple insurance policies: vessel owner’s protection and indemnity (P&I) coverage, employer’s liability insurance, and often umbrella policies. We navigate this complex insurance landscape simultaneously.
- Federal Court Litigation Preparedness: Because maritime cases are often filed in federal court—particularly the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas where Ralph Manginello is admitted—we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Insurance companies know when an attorney is bluffing about trial readiness, and our history of actually trying cases gives us significant leverage.
As client Jamin Marroquin described our approach: “Mr. Manginello guided me through the whole process with great expertise…tenacious, accessible, and determined throughout the 19 months.” This level of dedication is what separates true maritime injury firms from settlement mills that simply process claims. Call our legal emergency line at 1-888-ATTY-911 to discuss your specific offshore situation with our team.
What Qualifies as an Offshore Accident Under Maritime Law?
For an incident to qualify as an offshore accident under maritime law, it must generally occur on “navigable waters” or in connection with maritime employment. In practical terms, this includes a wide range of workplaces and incidents that many injured workers might not realize are covered. Based in Houston—the heart of the Gulf Coast maritime industry—we’ve handled cases involving:
Common Offshore Accident Scenarios
- Offshore Drilling Rig Accidents: Including fixed platforms, jack-up rigs, semi-submersibles, and drill ships. These complex industrial environments present hazards from high-pressure systems, heavy machinery, and extreme weather.
- Platform & Production Facility Incidents: Once oil or gas is discovered, production platforms house workers for extended periods. Fires, explosions, equipment failures, and chemical exposures are common dangers.
- Maritime Transportation Accidents: Including crew boat collisions, helicopter crashes transporting workers to and from platforms, tugboat and barge accidents, and supply vessel incidents.
- On-Deck & Structural Accidents: Slips, trips, and falls on wet or poorly maintained decks; being struck by swinging loads or falling equipment; structural failures of walkways, stairs, or railings.
- Equipment & Mechanical Failures: Malfunctioning cranes, winches, drilling equipment, or safety systems that fail due to inadequate maintenance or defective design.
The critical legal question isn’t just where the accident occurred, but what your employment connection was to maritime activity. For example, a cook on a drilling rig may qualify as a “seaman” under the Jones Act, while a contractor performing repairs might be covered under the Longshore Act. This distinction matters tremendously because the Jones Act allows you to sue your employer for negligence, while the Longshore Act provides a no-fault compensation system (though third-party lawsuits may still be possible). At Attorney911, we’ve successfully navigated these complexities in cases like our multi-million dollar settlement for a client who suffered a brain injury with vision loss when a log dropped on him at a logging company—a case that involved similar heavy industry and employer negligence issues common to offshore work.
The “Navigable Waters” Requirement and Texas Jurisdiction
Texas’s extensive coastline and offshore industry mean many accidents occurring just miles from Galveston, Corpus Christi, or Beaumont fall under federal maritime jurisdiction. The term “navigable waters” has been broadly interpreted by courts to include not just the open Gulf but also bays, inlets, rivers, and even some man-made channels where maritime commerce occurs. If you were injured while working on anything from a small crew boat in the Houston Ship Channel to a massive semi-submersible rig 100 miles offshore, you likely have maritime claims. Our firm’s deep Texas roots—Ralph Manginello was raised in Houston’s Memorial area and attended the University of Texas at Austin—mean we understand both the legal landscape and the practical realities of the Texas offshore industry. We serve clients across the Gulf Coast from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont.
What Damages Are Available in an Offshore Accident Settlement?
As Ralph mentions in the video, there’s no “typical” offshore accident settlement because every case involves unique injuries, circumstances, and legal issues. However, understanding the full range of potential damages is crucial to ensuring you don’t accept a lowball offer that fails to account for your long-term needs. At Attorney911, we meticulously calculate both current and future damages across these categories:
Economic Damages (Tangible Financial Losses)
- Medical Expenses: Past and future hospital bills, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and medical equipment. For serious injuries, future medical care can easily reach millions of dollars.
- Lost Wages & Earning Capacity: Compensation for time missed from work during recovery, plus reduced future earning potential if your injuries prevent you from returning to offshore work or any gainful employment.
- Vocational Rehabilitation: Costs for retraining if you cannot return to your previous maritime occupation.
- Long-Term Care Costs: For catastrophic injuries like paralysis or traumatic brain injury, 24/7 nursing care or assisted living facilities may be necessary.
Non-Economic Damages (Quality of Life Impacts)
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain and discomfort from your injuries, both past and future.
- Mental Anguish & Emotional Distress: Anxiety, depression, PTSD, sleep disturbances, and the psychological impact of the accident and your changed circumstances.
- Disfigurement & Physical Impairment: Compensation for scarring, amputations, or permanent disabilities that affect your appearance and physical abilities.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Inability to participate in hobbies, family activities, and other pleasures you enjoyed before your injury.
How Insurance Companies Undervalue Offshore Claims
This is where Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney becomes your unfair advantage. Lupe spent years at a national defense firm learning exactly how insurance companies value claims. “I’ve reviewed hundreds of surveillance videos and social media posts as a defense attorney,” Lupe explains. “Here’s the truth: Insurance companies take innocent activity out of context. They freeze ONE frame of you moving ‘normally’ and ignore the 10 minutes of you struggling before and after. They’re not documenting your life—they’re building ammunition against you.” Insurance adjusters use sophisticated software like Colossus to systematically minimize each damage category. They’ll argue your injuries aren’t as severe as claimed, that you had “preexisting conditions,” that you could have avoided the accident, or that you can return to work sooner than projected. Having a former defense attorney who knows these tactics is critical. As client Donald Wilcox discovered when he came to us after another firm rejected his case: “One company said they would not accept my case. Then I got a call from Manginello…I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.” If you’ve been hurt offshore, call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation to understand the true value of your claim.
The Attorney911 Difference: Why Our Maritime Injury Approach Gets Results
When you choose Attorney911 for your offshore accident case, you’re not just hiring a lawyer—you’re engaging a comprehensive legal team with proven results against some of the world’s largest corporations. Here’s what sets us apart:
Proven Track Record in Complex Maritime Litigation
Our firm is one of the few in Texas to be involved in BP explosion litigation—the catastrophic March 2005 Texas City refinery explosion that killed 15 workers and injured over 180. Taking on a multinational corporation like BP requires resources, federal court experience, and tenacity that most personal injury firms lack. Ralph Manginello’s admission to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas means we’re equipped to handle complex federal maritime cases from filing through trial. We’ve applied this same rigorous approach to offshore accidents, securing significant settlements like our recent maritime back injury case where our client injured his back while lifting cargo on a ship. Our investigation revealed that he should have been assisted in this duty, and we were able to reach a significant cash settlement.
Insider Knowledge from a Former Insurance Defense Attorney
Lupe Peña’s years working for insurance companies give us unprecedented insight into defense strategies. He understands how claims are valued, which Independent Medical Examination (IME) doctors insurers prefer (because he hired them himself), and how adjusters are trained to obtain damaging recorded statements. This insider knowledge allows us to anticipate and counter defense tactics at every stage. When we present a settlement demand, we speak the insurance company’s language—because Lupe used to be on their side. As client Glenda Walker noted about our approach: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”
Comprehensive Client Support & Communication
Offshore injury cases can take months or years to resolve. We maintain consistent communication so you’re never left wondering about your case status. Our paralegal team, including Leonor (mentioned in 80+ client reviews), ensures you receive regular updates. As client Brian Butchee shared: “Melanie was excellent. She kept me informed and when she said she would call me back, she did. I got to speak with Ralph Manginello once and knew quickly the way his Firm was ran.” For Spanish-speaking clients and families, Lupe Peña and staff member Zulema provide fluent Spanish services—”Hablamos Español” isn’t just a phrase for us, it’s a commitment to serving Texas’s diverse maritime workforce.
Contingency Fee Structure: No Financial Risk to You
We handle offshore accident cases on a contingency fee basis: you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Our standard agreement is 33.33% of the recovery if the case settles before trial, or 40% if it goes to trial. We advance all case costs—investigation expenses, expert fees, court filing fees—and only recover these if we win your case. This aligns our interests completely with yours: we only succeed when you succeed. As client Kiwi Potato described the experience: “This place feels like having a family over your case. And communication with you every step of the way. That’s how you know you’re in good hands.”
When Should You Contact an Offshore Accident Lawyer? Immediately.
If you’ve been injured offshore, time is your enemy for three critical reasons:
- Evidence Disappears Daily: Surveillance footage is typically retained for only 30 days. Equipment involved in the accident is repaired or replaced. Witness memories fade. The sooner we can issue preservation letters and begin our investigation, the stronger your case will be.
- Statutes of Limitations Are Strict: Maritime claims have strict filing deadlines. While the Jones Act generally provides a three-year statute of limitations (46 U.S.C. § 30106), other maritime claims may have shorter deadlines. Missing a deadline by even one day can bar your claim forever.
- Insurance Companies Begin Building Their Case Immediately: From the moment the accident is reported, insurance adjusters and defense attorneys start gathering evidence to minimize your claim. They may contact you for a “friendly” recorded statement or encourage you to sign medical releases giving them access to your entire medical history. As Ralph emphasizes in our video: “Make sure you do not speak with any insurance companies or lawyers representing the oil company before you have obtained your own counsel.”
Our free consultation comes with no obligation. We’ll review your situation, explain your legal options, and provide honest advice about whether you have a case. As client Stephanie Hernandez described reaching out to us: “When I felt I had no hope or direction, Leonor reached out to me…She took all the weight of my worries off my shoulders.” Don’t navigate this complex process alone. Call our legal emergency line at 1-888-ATTY-911 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Offshore Accident Claims
How long do I have to file an offshore accident lawsuit?
The statute of limitations depends on which maritime law applies to your case. The Jones Act generally provides three years from the date of injury (46 U.S.C. § 30106), while claims under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act must be filed within one year of injury (33 U.S.C. § 913(a)). However, reporting requirements and other procedural deadlines may be much shorter. The safest approach is to consult with an offshore accident attorney immediately to preserve all your rights.
What if I was partially at fault for the offshore accident?
Under the Jones Act and general maritime law, comparative negligence applies. This means your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover damages even if you were mostly to blame—unlike Texas personal injury law which bars recovery if you’re 51% or more at fault. However, insurance companies will aggressively argue you were mostly at fault to minimize payouts. Having an experienced maritime attorney to counter these allegations is essential.
Can I sue if I’m receiving maintenance and cure benefits?
Yes. “Maintenance and cure” is a no-fault benefit under maritime law that provides basic living expenses (maintenance) and medical treatment (cure) until you reach maximum medical improvement. These benefits are separate from a negligence claim under the Jones Act or a claim against a third party. In fact, if your employer unreasonably denies or delays maintenance and cure, you may be entitled to additional damages and attorney’s fees.
What if the accident happened on a vessel owned by my employer?
This is precisely when the Jones Act applies. If you qualify as a “seaman” (generally meaning you work on a vessel in navigation and contribute to its function or mission), you can sue your employer directly for negligence under the Jones Act. This is a powerful right not available to most injured workers under state workers’ compensation systems.
How much does it cost to hire Attorney911 for an offshore accident case?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis: we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery (33.33% before trial, 40% if the case goes to trial). We advance all case expenses and are reimbursed from the recovery only if we win. This means there is no financial risk to you to get started with our firm.
What if I live outside Texas but was injured in Texas waters?
We regularly represent clients from across the United States who were injured while working offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Maritime law is federal law, so your attorney doesn’t need to be licensed in your home state. Our Houston location places us at the center of the offshore industry, and we have the resources to handle cases for clients nationwide.
Take Action Today: Protect Your Rights After an Offshore Accident
The days and weeks following an offshore accident are critical. While you focus on your physical recovery, let Attorney911 handle the legal complexities. With 25+ years of experience, federal court admission, BP explosion litigation experience, and a former insurance defense attorney on our team, we have the unique combination of skills needed to maximize your offshore injury claim. Our 4.9-star Google rating from 251+ reviews reflects our commitment to clients like you. As Houston’s own Trae Tha Truth has recommended our firm, client Jacqueline Johnson noted: “One of Houston’s Great Men Trae Tha Truth has recommended this law firm. So if he is vouching for them then I know they do good work.”
Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of your vulnerable position. Contact Attorney911—The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC—today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Call our legal emergency line at 1-888-ATTY-911, visit our website at https://attorney911.com, or email Ralph directly at ralph@atty911.com. We serve offshore injury victims across Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. Remember: we don’t get paid unless we win your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file an offshore accident lawsuit?
The statute of limitations varies by applicable law: generally 3 years under the Jones Act (46 U.S.C. § 30106) but only 1 year under the Longshore Act (33 U.S.C. § 913(a)). Other reporting deadlines may be shorter. Consult an attorney immediately to avoid missing critical deadlines that could bar your claim forever.
What if I was partially at fault for the offshore accident?
Maritime law uses comparative negligence, meaning your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover even if mostly at fault. Insurance companies will exaggerate your fault to minimize payouts—an experienced maritime attorney is essential to counter these allegations.
Can I sue if I’m receiving maintenance and cure benefits?
Yes. Maintenance and cure are no-fault benefits separate from negligence claims under the Jones Act or third-party claims. If your employer unreasonably denies or delays these benefits, you may be entitled to additional damages and attorney’s fees.
What if the accident happened on a vessel owned by my employer?
If you qualify as a ‘seaman,’ you can sue your employer directly for negligence under the Jones Act—a powerful right not available in standard workers’ compensation systems. Determining seaman status requires careful legal analysis.
How much does it cost to hire Attorney911 for an offshore accident case?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency: 33.33% if settled before trial, 40% if tried. We advance all costs and only get paid if we recover compensation for you. There’s no financial risk to start your case with us.
What if I live outside Texas but was injured in Texas waters?
We represent clients nationwide injured in Gulf waters. Maritime law is federal, so we can represent you regardless of your home state. Our Houston location positions us at the industry’s center with resources for national cases.
