Houston Gangway Accident Attorney
Every ship’s journey begins and ends the same way: along a gangway. Whether you’re embarking on a pleasure cruise along the Houston Ship Channel or further out into the Gulf working on an offshore oil rig, a ship’s gangway poses several potential dangers. Pressure to move more quickly, walking on a shifting, slippery, or uneven surface, or walking along a gangway without proper fall prevention protection creates conditions where an injurious accident is more likely to occur.
It’s no fun to start your voyage with a twisted ankle or have to abandon the trip because of a serious spinal cord injury (or worse). But, if you slip or trip and fall while embarking or disembarking along a gangway, turn to an experienced Houston offshore accident attorney from Havens & Associates to help file a compensation claim.
We’re here to fight for your rights and defend your interests, ensuring that negligent ship owners or tour operators are held accountable. Contact us today at (713) 955-2215 for a free consultation.
About Havens & Associates - Your trusted Houston offshore injury firm
Firm founder and lead attorney Jonny Havens heads our legal team. As a U.S. Army veteran, Jonny knows how important fulfilling a mission is. Now, as an experienced Houston gangway accident attorney, he focuses on helping injured people like you get justice.
Johnny and the rest of the Havens & Associates team are on a mission to demand full and fair compensation for your losses after a gangway or other maritime injury. We prepare each case anticipating litigating it before a jury, gathering strong evidence, and using fine points of federal and Texas law.
Our client-focused, boutique-firm empathy, big-firm resources, and knowledge set our Texas gangway accident lawyers apart. We tailor our advice to your unique circumstances. We’ll listen to your worries, take your calls, and focus on the best possible outcome for your claim.
Havens & Associates is a local Houston personal injury firm.
We know the legal landscape well, are familiar with the local circuit court judges, and know the particulars of each courtroom. We’re Texans like you—your friends, neighbors, and advocates after gangway accidents.
Our Houston gangway accident attorneys get results
As a dedicated Houston gangway accident attorney, Jonny and his team have recovered millions of dollars for clients like you. We know how insurance adjusters think because our team has experience working for big insurance companies. This gives us unique insight into tricks they try to pull – and how to contest them in court best.
| “It was a great experience working with [Havens & Associates]. Jonny Havens was extremely responsive, always responded to our questions promptly, and handled our case with great professionalism. Without his help, we would not have received the results we did.” – Tyler Fedun |
| We recently recovered $125,000 in a trip-and-fall accident claim, fighting for maximum compensation for our client |
Here’s what you can expect when you work with a Texas gangway accident attorney from our firm.
Free initial consultation
You may have blamed your accident on clumsiness, not realizing that the ship’s negligence was the underlying cause of your injury. We start with a complimentary case review, in which we examine any evidence you have (photos, medical records, an incident report from the ship, witness accounts, etc.) and weigh the strength of your claim. We also determine which laws apply in your case.
Our years of experience and deep knowledge of federal and Texas injury laws mean we can properly value your case and explain any weaknesses. Once we determine that you have a valid claim, we get to work immediately—depending on the statute of limitations, you may only have a short window of time to file your suit.
Resources to investigate the incident
Evidence after gangway accidents disappear quickly. The walkway dries and the weather changes. Many of the unique circumstances that made an accident likely could have changed by the time our investigators can examine the scene.
Our firm has extensive resources to properly investigate your accident. This includes deposing witnesses, subpoenaing the tour operator’s safety records, and reviewing the ship and gangway’s maintenance records.
We also consult with expert witnesses, from doctors to shipbuilders and safety inspectors, who can explain to a jury how the accident happened and the extent of negligence present.
Thorough knowledge of Texas and federal injury laws
The laws governing your gangway accident depend on the location of the accident, whether you were boarding for work or pleasure, and sometimes what flag the ship is flying.
Maritime injury laws can quickly become complex, so hiring a gangway and boarding accident lawyer in the Gulf of Mexico who understands which laws apply in your case is critical.
If you were hurt on the job, you may be covered by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance, although not all Texas employers are required to carry workers’ compensation).
You may also seek compensation under the Jones Act, Maintenance and Cure, Death on the High Seas Act, or other federal laws. If you were not hurt while on the job, other laws, including maritime or Texas personal injury laws, may cover you.
Our team knows these laws well, and our attorneys are licensed to practice in federal and Texas courts.
Skilled gangway accident attorney advocating for you
As plaintiff’s lawyers, Havens & Associates represent injured people like you – not big cruise ship owners, insurance companies, or your employer. This claim may be your only opportunity to secure the money you need for medical care, future rehabilitative therapy, replenishing lost wages, and caring for your family as you heal.
We aim to achieve the best possible outcome for you—in court or out—and hold negligent parties accountable for the harm they cause.
Havens & Associates is proud to fight for you
We take all gangway accident cases, both those suffered while on the job and those suffered in your leisure time. Usually, the vessel operator is the primary negligent party in gangway accident claims, but other parties may also play a role in the injury.
A gangway injury can happen in any number of ways, and we represent victims who were hurt because:
- The gangway isn’t the proper height or length for safety; passengers may not be able to reach handrails, or the slope may be too steep
- Poor lighting or visibility
- The gangway is cluttered or full of obstructions that impede safety
- The surface isn't equipped with non-skid strips or is overly slippery
- The gangway isn’t in good condition, which makes a trip or slip more likely
- There are no handrails or guardrails, and the stanchions aren’t high enough or strong enough to support passengers properly.
- The ship crew miscalculated the gangway's weight needed to support passengers or otherwise overloaded the gangway.
- The gangplank has not been secured properly to the dock or the vessel, causing excess movement or dangerous separation.
- A floating dock is used in an unsafe or inappropriate manner. These can be safe for some vessels but do not provide the stability of an elevated gangplank.
If you don’t see the cause of your gangplank injury here or are unsure if you have a case, call us. Our firm’s boat gangway accident lawyer can evaluate your case in a free consultation.
Speak with a Houston gangway accident attorney and protect your rights
If you were injured as a seaman or other worker on an offshore rig or commercial vessel, you likely have recourse under the Jones Act or other U.S. maritime laws. You may be covered under workers’ comp, but you may not—it depends on your job and where the accident happened.
This is one of the reasons it’s so important to talk to a Houston gangway accident attorney as soon as you can after getting hurt. They can sift through the laws that apply in your case and determine the best legal course of action. They can also help you understand communication from the other party, including their lawyer and insurance company.
Schedule your free consultation today
Have you or someone you love been hurt on a ship’s gangway? The legal team at Havens & Associates is here to help you get fair compensation for your losses. Contact us today at (713) 955-2215 for a free consultation with an experienced gangway accident attorney.
We answer common questions about gangway accidents in Houston
If an insurance company offered me a settlement, do I need a Houston gangway accident lawyer?
It’s usually best to have your lawyer review any settlement offer the other party sends. Your lawyer properly values all your losses and can determine whether the offer is fair. Plus, once you sign a settlement, you can’t decide to file another suit afterward if the settlement isn’t enough to cover all your losses.
I was injured on a cruise ship gangway. How long do I have to file a claim?
Most cruise ship injuries are governed by international law or the laws of the country in which the ship is registered. These claims are often confusing, as many people don’t know where to file the claim or what rights they have.
How much is my gangway accident case worth?
Every situation differs. If your injury is severe or permanently disabling, your case is worth more than someone with a minimal injury.