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Houston Maritime & Offshore Injury Attorneys

Representing Injured Offshore Workers Across the Gulf Coast

Working offshore is one of the toughest and most dangerous jobs in America. Every day, men and women aboard drilling rigs, production platforms, and vessels face extreme conditions, heavy machinery, and high-pressure systems — all miles away from shore. When something goes wrong, the consequences can be catastrophic.

At Parks Law PLLC, we fight for the maritime and offshore workers who keep Houston’s energy industry moving. Whether you were injured on a jack-up rig, a semi-submersible platform, or during crew transfer operations, we understand the unique challenges of offshore work — and the complex federal laws that protect you.

Our firm combines deep legal experience with first-hand industry knowledge to help injured seamen, contractors, and platform workers recover the compensation they deserve under the Jones Act, general maritime law, and offshore injury statutes.

If you’ve been hurt while working offshore or aboard a vessel near Houston, contact Parks Law PLLC today for a free consultation.

Understanding Offshore and Maritime Accidents

Houston is the hub of America’s offshore energy operations. From the Port of Houston to shipyards in Galveston and fabrication yards along the Gulf Coast, thousands of maritime employees support offshore drilling, exploration, and production every day. Unfortunately, serious accidents remain far too common.

Unlike traditional onshore workplaces, offshore sites combine unpredictable ocean conditions with heavy industrial activity. One small error — a failed safety valve, an overloaded crane, or a slippery deck — can lead to disaster.

Some of the most frequent causes of offshore and maritime injuries include:

Explosions and Fires: Fuel leaks, blowouts, and poor maintenance can cause devastating onboard fires and platform explosions.
Equipment and Machinery Failures: Malfunctioning cranes, winches, or drilling systems can result in crushing or amputation injuries.
Slips, Trips, and Falls: Wet decks and inadequate lighting frequently cause serious falls, especially during rough weather.
Personnel Basket Transfer Accidents: Unsafe or poorly executed transfers between vessels and rigs often lead to head, back, and shoulder trauma.
Helicopter Crashes: Transport between offshore facilities poses its own unique risks.
Toxic Exposure: Workers can be harmed by dangerous chemicals, drilling mud, or hydrocarbons.

Many of these accidents are preventable. When employers cut corners or ignore maritime safety regulations, they can be held liable under federal law.

The Jones Act and Maritime Worker Rights

The Jones Act is the cornerstone of maritime injury law in the United States. It gives “seamen” — individuals who spend a significant portion of their work time on vessels — the right to sue their employers for negligence.

Under the Jones Act, injured seamen may recover compensation for:

Medical expenses and ongoing care
Lost wages and future earning capacity
Pain, suffering, and mental anguish
Loss of enjoyment of life
Importantly, the Jones Act places a duty of care on employers to provide a reasonably safe work environment. When they fail — by neglecting maintenance, hiring unqualified crew, or ignoring safety procedures — they can be held responsible.

Parks Law PLLC has extensive experience handling complex Jones Act claims. We understand how to prove employer negligence, gather vessel maintenance records, and establish your seaman status — key factors in a successful recovery.

Maritime and Offshore Platforms Beyond the Jones Act

Not every offshore worker qualifies as a “seaman” under the Jones Act. Those stationed on fixed platforms, mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs), or production rigs may fall under different legal protections.

These can include:

Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA): Covers maritime employees who work on docks, in shipyards, or in offshore support roles.
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA): Extends federal workers’ compensation protections to offshore platform workers on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.
General Maritime Law: Allows injured workers to seek “maintenance and cure” (daily living expenses and medical care) as well as additional damages for unseaworthiness of a vessel.

Navigating these overlapping laws requires an attorney who understands both the technical realities of offshore work and the intricacies of maritime jurisdiction. That’s where Parks Law stands apart.

Common Offshore and Maritime Injuries

The injuries sustained offshore can be catastrophic, often requiring long-term treatment and rehabilitation. We represent Houston maritime workers suffering from:

Head and brain injuries (including concussions and TBI)
Burn injuries from explosions or fires
Spinal cord damage and paralysis
Broken bones and crushed limbs
Shoulder and back injuries from heavy lifting or falls
Chemical burns or respiratory illness from toxic exposure
Drowning or hypoxia from failed emergency procedures
Wrongful death due to employer or vessel negligence
Offshore accidents don’t just happen at sea — they affect entire families back on shore. We fight to ensure our clients and their loved ones have the resources they need to rebuild their lives.

How a Houston Maritime Injury Lawyer Can Help

When an offshore accident occurs, the employer and its insurer immediately begin investigating — often with the goal of limiting their exposure. Injured workers need someone on their side who understands how these companies operate.

At Parks Law PLLC, we take swift action to protect your rights, preserve evidence, and guide you through the complex process of filing a maritime injury claim.
1. Immediate Investigation and Evidence Preservation

We gather maintenance logs, safety records, and witness statements before they can disappear. Our engineering background allows us to interpret technical data, such as rig schematics and drilling logs, that can prove negligence.

2. Expert Consultation

We work with offshore safety experts, naval engineers, and medical specialists to build strong, evidence-based cases.

3. Aggressive Negotiation and Trial Preparation

Whether through settlement or trial, we fight to maximize your recovery. Insurance companies know which firms are prepared to litigate — and that often means better results for our clients.

4. Total Client Support

From medical referrals to help navigating disability benefits, our firm provides full-spectrum support so you can focus on recovery while we handle the rest.

Proven Results for Maritime and Offshore Workers

Parks Law PLLC has recovered more than $12 million in settlements for injured workers and their families across Texas. Our experience spans catastrophic industrial injuries, oilfield explosions, and maritime accidents involving complex multi-party liability.

In one notable case, we represented a client who suffered severe orthopedic and neurological injuries in a crane collapse at an energy construction site. The case resolved for a confidential multi-million-dollar settlement shortly before trial.

In one notable case, we represented a client who suffered severe orthopedic and neurological injuries in a crane collapse at an energy construction site. The case resolved for a confidential multi-million-dollar settlement shortly before trial.

(Disclaimer: Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is unique and evaluated on its own merits.)

Why Choose Parks Law PLLC

First-Hand Offshore Experience

Attorney Lafitte Parks worked offshore early in his career and holds a degree in Geosystems Engineering & Hydrogeology — a rare combination of petroleum engineering and geology. That background provides unmatched insight into how rigs and platforms operate and how safety failures occur.

Technical Knowledge Meets Legal Strategy

Because we understand the mechanics of drilling, hydraulics, and vessel operations, we can translate complex evidence into clear, compelling arguments for juries and insurers.

Personal Commitment to the Energy Community

As a fourth-generation member of a Texas oil and gas family, Lafitte Parks has spent his life around the industry’s people, culture, and challenges. He knows the risks offshore workers face — and the corporate systems that too often let them down.

Individualized Attention

We’re not a volume-driven practice. We take on a select number of serious cases and dedicate the time, resources, and focus necessary to deliver results. You’ll work directly with your attorney, not a call center or case manager.

A Reputation for Integrity

We believe in handling every claim with professionalism and respect. When you hire Parks Law, you get straightforward answers, honest assessments, and relentless advocacy from start to finish.

Serving Offshore Workers Across Houston and the Gulf

Our Houston office represents maritime and offshore workers across the Gulf Coast — including Galveston, Port Arthur, Baytown, Corpus Christi, and offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.

We handle cases involving:

Offshore drilling rigs and platforms
Supply vessels and crew boats
Mobile drilling units (MODUs)
Jack-up rigs and semi-submersibles
Offshore construction and crane operations
Platform maintenance and decommissioning

No matter where your injury occurred, we’re ready to help. We coordinate with clients nationwide and offer virtual consultations for families of injured offshore workers living outside Texas.

Steps to Take After an Offshore Accident

After an injury offshore, the decisions you make in the first few days can have lasting consequences. Protect yourself by taking these critical steps:

1. Report the injury immediately — Delays can be used against you.
2. Request medical attention and insist on treatment from an independent doctor, not just the company physician.
3. Document everything, including photos, names of witnesses, and any unsafe conditions you observed.
4. Avoid signing statements or releasing medical records without legal advice.
5. Contact an experienced maritime lawyer as soon as possible.

The sooner you get legal representation, the stronger your case will be — especially when powerful corporations are working to minimize their liability.

Call a Houston Maritime and Offshore Injury Lawyer Today

When you’re injured offshore, your employer has a team of lawyers protecting its bottom line. You deserve a team protecting you.

At Parks Law PLLC, we know the law, the industry, and the people who make it run. We’ve built our reputation on helping injured workers reclaim their futures and forcing negligent companies to take responsibility for their failures.

Working Hours Monday–Friday
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Whether you were hurt aboard a vessel, on a drilling rig, or during an offshore transfer, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
Call Parks Law PLLC today or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation.

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