Houston’s offshore industry powers the nation, yet it exposes workers to extreme danger every shift. Stephen Goldenzweig, Houston offshore injury attorney, leads our firm in standing up for those hurt on rigs, platforms, and vessels throughout the Gulf. We take over the legal fight so you can focus on healing.
Why You Need Representation
Offshore claims are governed by a maze of federal maritime statutes. Missing a single deadline or document can erase your right to compensation. Our Houston maritime injury lawyers at Goldenzweig Law Group gather evidence immediately, protect crucial timelines, and negotiate from a position of strength.
Ready to protect your future? Call 713-561-5003 now for a free, no-obligation case review with Houston offshore injury attorney Stephen Goldenzweig.
Immediate Steps After an Offshore Accident
Time is critical after any offshore injury. Take these actions to protect your health and your case.
- Seek medical care on the rig or at the nearest shore-side facility.
- Report the accident in writing to the supervisor or safety officer.
- Document the scene with photos, videos, and witness names.
- Preserve equipment involved in the incident.
- Call Stephen Goldenzweig, Houston offshore accident lawyer, so our team can secure logbooks, maintenance records, and voyage data before they disappear.
Acting quickly creates a clear timeline that proves what happened and why.
Common Offshore Accidents in the Gulf of Mexico
Offshore structures combine heavy machinery, volatile chemicals, and unpredictable seas. The result is a long list of injury scenarios:
- Falls from heights on derricks, cranes, or catwalks.
- Equipment failures involving winches, drill strings, and mud pumps.
- Fires and explosions caused by gas releases or electrical shorts.
- Toxic exposures to hydrogen sulfide, drilling fluids, or cleaning solvents.
- Crush or pin injuries between swinging loads or moving pipes.
- Helicopter crashes during crew transfers (less common but devastating).
Federal records show six Gulf Coast offshore worker fatalities in 2019, the worst year in half a decade. Each statistic represents a family forever changed—one reason our Houston offshore injury attorneys fight relentlessly for full accountability.
Maritime Laws That Protect Injured Offshore Workers
Several overlapping laws may apply. Understanding each statute is the key to maximizing recovery.
The Jones Act
This 1920 law lets a Houston Jones Act lawyer sue an employer when a seaman is hurt by negligence. Damages include lost wages, pain and suffering, and future earning capacity.
Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)
Dockworkers, scaffold builders, and other shore-side maritime employees receive wage-loss and medical benefits—even if no fault is proven.
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA)
OCSLA extends LHWCA benefits to oil-field workers farther offshore. Coverage applies to platforms, jack-ups, and floating production units anchored to the seabed.
Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA)
Families may sue for economic losses when a loved one dies three nautical miles or more from the coast.
Failure to apply the correct statute can cut available compensation in half. Stephen Goldenzweig, board-certified Houston maritime lawyer, ensures every qualifying law is invoked.
Are You a Jones Act Seaman or Longshore Worker?
Seaman status hinges on two factors:
- Connection to a vessel in navigation.
- Substantial time—typically 30 percent or more of work hours—spent on that vessel.
Workers who do not meet both tests default to LHWCA or OCSLA coverage. Determining the right category early shapes the entire case strategy, which is why our Houston offshore injury attorneys perform a detailed job-duty analysis at intake.
Parties That May Be Liable for Your Offshore Injury
More than one entity often shares fault:
- Employer for unsafe policies, fatigued crews, or inadequate training.
- Vessel or platform owner when an unseaworthy condition exists.
- Equipment manufacturer for defective cranes, valves, or engines.
- Third-party contractors who perform negligent maintenance or inspection.
We investigate maintenance logs, inspection reports, and electronic data to show exactly how each party’s choices led to harm.
Compensation Available to Offshore Injury Victims
Victims are entitled to both economic and non-economic damages.
| Category | Examples | Why It Matters |
| Medical costs | ER bills, surgeries, rehab | Ensures no out-of-pocket treatment expenses |
| Lost income | Past wages, future earning capacity | Replaces the paycheck your family relies on |
| Maintenance & cure | Daily living expenses and medical care for seamen | Provides immediate, no-fault support |
| Pain & suffering | Physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment | Recognizes the human impact of injuries |
Our job is to capture every loss—both obvious and hidden—so you emerge financially whole.
How We Calculate the Full Value of Your Claim
Serious offshore injuries can end a career that once paid six figures. Stephen Goldenzweig, Houston offshore injury trial attorney, works with vocational experts and economists to project:
- Lifetime income you would have earned but for the injury.
- Future medical costs for prosthetics, therapy, or revision surgeries.
- Domestic services you can no longer perform, such as childcare or home maintenance.
Strict Deadlines for Filing Offshore Injury Claims
Maritime law is unforgiving on timing.
- Jones Act & DOHSA: 3 years from injury or death.
- Texas personal injury claims (if applicable): 2 years.
- LHWCA notices: 30 days to notify the employer; 1 year to file formal claim.
Missing a statute of limitations bars recovery forever. Our Houston maritime attorneys at Goldenzweig Law Group file immediately, stopping delay tactics in their tracks.
Representing Families After a Fatal Offshore Accident
A wrongful death devastates more than finances; it reshapes every aspect of family life. Under DOHSA, spouses, children, and dependent parents may recover lost support, funeral costs, and the value of household services. We guide grieving families through paperwork and investigations while they focus on healing.
No Fee Unless We Win – Understanding Contingency Fees
Legal costs should not deter injured workers from justice. Stephen Goldenzweig, Houston offshore injury lawyer, accepts cases on contingency:
- Zero upfront fees.
- Firm advances all litigation costs.
- Fee collected only after settlement or verdict.
This model aligns our success with yours—we are paid only when you are paid.
Choosing the Right Houston Offshore Injury Lawyer
Selecting counsel can feel overwhelming. Look for:
- Board certification. Fewer than ½ percent of Texas lawyers hold this designation for personal injury trial law.
- Maritime track record. Ask how many multimillion-dollar offshore cases the firm has resolved.
- Resources to battle industry giants. Offshore defendants hire elite defense teams; you need equal firepower.
- Personal attention. At our firm, every client meets directly with attorney Stephen Goldenzweig and receives a dedicated case manager.
Meet Attorney Stephen Goldenzweig
Stephen Goldenzweig is a skilled trial lawyer and a dedicated advocate specializing in personal injury and employment law. At Goldenzweig Law Group, PLLC, he represents clients in various cases, including vehicle collisions, premises liability, workplace injuries, and wrongful death.
Together, our Houston offshore injury attorneys at Goldenzweig Law Group bring unmatched courtroom and industry insight.
Client Stories
“Amazing consultation and a very good explanation about my case. I highly recommend this law firm. Thank you so much for your guys help and I’m sure will always be in touch with you for future cases. Highly recommended” – Jordan G.
“From the initial call to working with my case manager, the service was excellent. I always felt heard and all my questions and concerns were always answered. The staff is amazing and I was always treated with respect and as if I was family. Stephen is the best when it comes to fighting for his clients and I highly recommend the firm.” – Amanda M.
Speak with a Houston Offshore Injury Attorney Today
Relief starts with one call. Dial 713-561-5003 for a free consultation, or visit us at 6575 West Loop South, Suite 420, Bellaire, TX 77401. The Houston offshore accident attorneys at Goldenzweig Law Group are available 24/7 and can travel statewide—or arrange a secure video conference—so distance is never a barrier.
Your recovery is our mission, and we are ready to chart your course toward justice.