Here’s a 2025 guide to finding a maritime (Jones Act) lawyer in Texas:
⚖️ 1. Understanding Jones Act Claims
- The Jones Act (Merchant Marine Act of 1920) lets seamen injured at sea sue their employers for negligence under a low burden of proof (“featherweight causation”) reddit.com+15tonylawfirm.com+15bushlawgrp.com+15reddit.com+6en.wikipedia.org+6mcfarlanelaw.com+6.
- Claim eligibility includes:
- Spending ≥ 30% of your time on a navigable vessel
- Experiencing injury due to employer negligence or vessel unseaworthiness en.wikipedia.org+5kolodnylawfirm.com+5spaglaw.com+5spaglaw.com+2bushlawgrp.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2
⏳ 2. Deadlines in Texas
- Standard statute of limitations for Jones Act and unseaworthiness claims is 3 years from injury .
- Other claims (e.g. LHWCA) may have shorter deadlines—consider contacting a maritime attorney immediately reddit.com+15calehrlawfirm.com+15mcfarlanelaw.com+15.
🚧 3. Steps in a Texas Maritime Claim
- Report injury promptly (ideally within 7 days).
- Seek medical treatment and gather records.
- Log the incident (ship’s log, accident report).
- Hire a maritime lawyer experienced in Texas claims.
- Pursue compensation—maintenance & cure, medical costs, lost wages, pain & suffering.
- File suit in state or federal court if no settlement bushlawgrp.comjonesact.com+9txattorneys.com+9bushlawgrp.com+9terrythweatt.com+5kolodnylawfirm.com+5reddit.com+5jonesact.com+3spaglaw.com+3tonylawfirm.com+3.
🧑⚖️ 4. Qualities to Look for in a Texas Maritime Lawyer
- Specialization in Jones Act & maritime law, not general personal injury calehrlawfirm.com+15tonylawfirm.com+15txattorneys.com+15.
- Free consultation + contingency fee (“no-win, no-fee”).
- Willing to advance expenses like settlements or medical liens reddit.com+10bushlawgrp.com+10tonylawfirm.com+10.
- Strong communication and court litigation readiness reddit.com+9tonylawfirm.com+9kolodnylawfirm.com+9.
📍 5. Key Regions & Firms in Texas (2025)
- Houston: Major hub and gulf litigation center.
- Dallas / Austin: Inland offices handling maritime claims jonesact.comreddit.com+11tonylawfirm.com+11txattorneys.com+11.
- Prominent firms:
- Willis Law Firm (Houston) – extensive experience in Gulf Coast maritime cases tonylawfirm.com+3jonesact.com+3spaglaw.com+3
- Bush & Bush (Dallas) – free consults, 24/7 availability, advance funding bushlawgrp.com
- Tony Nguyen Law Firm (Austin) – focus on Jones Act compensation, maintenance & cure tonylawfirm.com+1mcfarlanelaw.com+1
- Calehr Law Firm (Houston) – highlights importance of strict 3‑year deadline jonesact.com+9calehrlawfirm.com+9tonylawfirm.com+9
- Spagnoletti Law Firm (Houston) – seasoned Gulf Coast maritime litigation terrythweatt.com+7spaglaw.com+7jonesact.com+7
🧰 6. How to Prepare Before Contact
- Collect evidence:
- Accident & vessel log reports
- Witness statements
- Photos of scene/injuries
- Medical records & bills
- Vessel maintenance documents reddit.com+12kolodnylawfirm.com+12tonylawfirm.com+12reddit.com+4klgates.com+4en.wikipedia.org+4
- Prepare details:
- Vessel type and job percentage onboard (30%+)
- Date/location of accident, injuries, and employer actions
✅ 7. Checklist for Hiring a Texas Maritime Lawyer
- Specializes in maritime & Jones Act claims
- Offers free initial consultation
- Works on contingency basis
- Has a track record of Johnson Act recoveries
- Located in coastal or port cities like Houston, Galveston, Beaumont
📞 Ready to Take Action?
- Begin with a free case evaluation—ask about deadlines, eligibility, compensation scope (maintenance, cure, unseaworthiness, lost wages, pain & suffering).
- Contact multiple firms to compare approach, communication style, and experience.
- Act promptly with deadlines looming—starting the process early strengthens your claim.