Jones Act claims Port of Corpus Christi involve some of the most complex maritime injury law in the country — and injured workers at one of America's busiest energy ports deserve experienced legal representation. If you were hurt while working aboard a vessel or in connection with maritime operations at the Port of Corpus Christi, Anderson Alexander PLLC can help you pursue the full compensation you are owed under the Jones Act.
The Port of Corpus Christi: A Major Maritime Hub
The Port of Corpus Christi is one of the busiest ports in the United States and ranks first in the nation for crude oil exports. It serves as a critical hub for the South Texas energy economy, handling tankers, tugboats, barges, and supply vessels that move petroleum, petrochemicals, and liquefied natural gas. The port employs thousands of maritime workers, including longshoremen, tug boat crews, deckhand, dock workers, crane operators, and vessel maintenance staff. The nature of this work is inherently hazardous, and serious injuries happen regularly.
What Is the Jones Act and Who Qualifies?
The Jones Act is a federal law that provides injured seamen with the right to sue their employers for negligence. Unlike workers' compensation — which pays fixed benefits regardless of fault — the Jones Act allows injured workers to seek full tort damages, including compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
To qualify as a seaman under the Jones Act, you must spend a substantial portion of your work time (at least 30 percent) aboard a vessel in navigation. This includes crew members on tugboats, supply boats, tankers, and other vessels that operate on navigable waters. In addition to the Jones Act, injured seamen may also be entitled to maintenance and cure — the vessel owner's obligation to pay for medical treatment and a daily living allowance until maximum medical improvement is reached.
Jones Act vs. Workers' Compensation: Why It Matters
Many maritime workers do not realize that the Jones Act is far more valuable than standard workers' compensation. Workers' comp pays limited, scheduled benefits set by state law, and an injured worker cannot receive anything for pain and suffering. The Jones Act, by contrast, allows you to sue your employer directly for all damages caused by negligence. A single Jones Act case can be worth several times more than a workers' comp claim for the same injury.
Common Maritime Injuries at the Port of Corpus Christi
The most frequent injuries our maritime injury attorneys handle for Port of Corpus Christi workers include crane accidents and rigging failures, slip and fall accidents on wet or oily vessel decks, mooring line accidents, loading equipment failures including forklifts and hoists, falling objects from overhead work, chemical exposures on tankers and barges, and crush injuries from heavy equipment. These accidents cause broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, burns, and in the worst cases, wrongful death.
Three-Year Statute of Limitations
Jones Act claims must be filed within three years of the date of injury. Missing this deadline generally means losing your right to compensation forever. Do not wait to speak with a maritime injury attorney.
Anderson Alexander PLLC: Super Lawyers Rated Maritime Attorneys
Anderson Alexander PLLC represents injured maritime workers throughout South Texas. Our attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers, a rating service that designates no more than five percent of attorneys in each state. We handle Jones Act cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay no attorney fees unless we win money for you.
If you or a family member has been injured working at the Port of Corpus Christi or aboard any vessel in South Texas waters, contact our maritime injury attorney Corpus Christi team today at (361) 452-1279 or visit a2xlaw.com for a free consultation. For additional information on maritime safety regulations, visit the US Maritime Administration at maritime.dot.gov.
