Texas Commercial Fishing Accident Lawyer
Commercial fishing accidents can leave hardworking Texans facing catastrophic injuries, financial hardship, and uncertainty about their future. The Texas commercial fishing accident lawyers at The Lanier Law Firm have a long record of winning results for injured fishermen and families who’ve lost loved ones at sea. With deep maritime law experience and a commitment to Legal Care, our attorneys fight to secure the justice and compensation you deserve.
- Content Reviewed by:
- Judson A. Waltman
- Page Last Updated:
- January 13, 2026
Navigate This Page
- Your Rights Matter: Our Trusted Commercial Fishing Accident Lawyers
- Compensation Available for Commercial Fishing Accidents in Texas
- What Causes Commercial Fishing Accidents and Who is Liable?
- What Our Commercial Fishing Accident Attorneys Can Do for You
- Contact Our Commercial Fishing Accident Attorneys in Houston, Texas
Commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States, characterized by demanding labor, extended hours, unpredictable seas, and exposure to harsh weather conditions. The maritime and offshore accident lawyers at The Lanier Law Firm understand the serious risks that commercial fishermen face every day and the devastating impact an injury or loss can have on workers and their families.
Injuries and fatalities are common in all types of commercial fishing vessels, including seiners, trawlers, trap setters, line vessels, gillnetters, dredgers, lift netters, and headliners. From tangled gear and heavy machinery to vessel sinkings and overboard incidents, a single moment of negligence can lead to catastrophic consequences.
Between 2000 and 2017, commercial fishermen experienced a fatality rate of 114 deaths per 100,000 full-time workers, compared to just four deaths per 100,000 workers across all U.S. industries. In 2022, 22% of all commercial fishing fatalities occurred in the Gulf of Mexico, with the shrimping industry seeing the highest number of deaths. These statistics highlight why injured fishermen and grieving families need experienced legal advocates on their side.
The Lanier Law Firm has extensive knowledge of maritime law and is here to help you pursue justice and compensation after a commercial fishing accident in Texas.
Your Rights Matter: Our Trusted Commercial Fishing Accident Lawyers
When a serious accident at sea changes your life, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by medical bills, lost income, or the uncertainty of what comes next. The compassionate maritime attorneys at The Lanier Law Firm understand that behind every injury or tragic loss is a hardworking individual or family who wants justice for their losses. Our team is committed to helping them secure life-changing case results and accountability.
Judson Waltman
Managing Attorney Judson Waltman is a nationally recognized trial lawyer with over 25 years of experience in catastrophic personal injury, maritime, and wrongful death cases. He has secured numerous multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements, including one of the largest in Ward County, and has been honored by The Best Lawyers in America and Texas Super Lawyers.
Lawrence Wilson
Senior Attorney Lawrence Wilson brings over 30 years of experience in complex personal injury and maritime litigation, successfully representing offshore workers and seamen in cases involving tanker and cargo ships. He has been named as one of the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers and holds an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
The Lanier Law Firm is nationally recognized for our record of success and unwavering commitment to legal care. There are no upfront costs to hire our firm, as we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe nothing unless we win your case.
“Lanier Law Firm is the best in the business. Our experience was outstanding as the entire Firm are experts in this space. They were able to guide us through the entire process with confidence. Highly recommend Lanier Law Firm!”
Stewart L.
“Everything they do shows that they care about the people they serve. The firm has an amazing reputation, and it’s easy to see why with how much they’ve recovered for their clients, but the thing that truly separates them is how you don’t feel like you’re talking to a law firm; you feel like you’re talking to family. If you’ve been injured, pick up the phone and call them now.”
Theodore D.
Call 800-723-3216 now to see if our personal injury law firm can pursue compensation for you and your family. Consultations are free.
Compensation Available for Commercial Fishing Accidents in Texas
Maritime laws, including the Jones Act and the Death on the High Seas Act, or DOSHA, protect commercial fishermen injured on the job. These federal laws ensure that injured seamen and the surviving families of those who die from their injuries can pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Understanding your rights under these laws is essential to recovering the full value of your claim.
What Compensation Can You Claim For Fishing Accident Injuries?
Under the Jones Act, injured seamen have the right to sue their employers for negligence when unsafe conditions or improper maintenance led to their harm. Compensation may cover past and future medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages and loss of earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Commercial fishing accidents often result from hazardous conditions that employers are legally obligated to prevent.
Common injuries that can lead to compensation in commercial fishing accidents include the following:
- Strains and sprains
- Contusions and traumatic brain injuries
- Fractures
- Crushing injuries
- Lacerations
- Electrocutions
- Exposure to harmful substances or environments
What Recovery Can You Claim for a Loved One’s Fishing Accident Death?
When a commercial fisherman loses their life at sea, surviving family members may pursue compensation under both the Jones Act and DOSHA. These laws enable families to recover damages for the loss of financial support, funeral expenses, medical costs incurred before death, and the loss of care, guidance, and companionship.
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- Passionate legal advocates with decades of trial experience
- Over $20 billion recovered for our clients
- No upfront costs or fees
What Causes Commercial Fishing Accidents and Who is Liable?
Commercial fishing accidents are often the result of preventable hazards that should have been addressed before sending workers out to sea. When negligence or poor maintenance causes an accident, injured crew members have the right to seek justice with the help of experienced maritime and offshore accident attorneys at The Lanier Law Firm.
The following are some of the most common causes of commercial fishing accidents:
- Flooding and general unseaworthiness
- Contact with equipment
- Lack of training
- Lack of safety gear
- Slippery sufrances
- Vessel collisions
What Our Commercial Fishing Accident Attorneys Can Do for You
At The Lanier Law Firm, our attorneys are dedicated to helping injured commercial fishermen and their families secure justice and full financial compensation. We provide serious, sound legal representation backed by decades of maritime experience and a proven record of success. Our commitment to legal care means every client receives personalized attention, open communication, and unwavering advocacy from start to finish.
Our team will do the following for you:
- Provide a convenient on-site consultation
- Thoroughly investigate your case to uncover exactly what caused the accident and identify all liable parties
- Aggressively negotiate with all relevant stakeholders to maximize your compensation
- Handle all legal details so you can focus on recovery
- Timely file all paperwork to comply with strict maritime deadlines and the statutes of limitations
- Aggressively litigate your case and fight for you in court to ensure your story is heard and your rights are protected
Recognized nationally for our results, The Lanier Law Firm has earned numerous honors and awards for excellence in maritime and personal injury litigation. When you work with our commercial fishing accident team, you gain the strength of a respected firm that’s known for standing up to powerful corporations and delivering results for hardworking Texans.
Judson A. Waltman specializes in personal injury, product liability, and maritime law. He secured one of the largest verdicts in Ward County, Texas, for an injured oilfield worker and a $2 million verdict for a Central Texas worker. Recognized by Best Lawyers for Personal Injury and Product Liability Litigation (2024-2025).
Contact Our Commercial Fishing Accident Attorneys in Houston, Texas
When a commercial fishing accident turns your life upside down, you deserve a legal team that understands the dangers of your work and fights relentlessly to protect your future. For more than three decades, The Lanier Law Firm has helped hardworking Texans and their families recover the compensation they need to rebuild their lives after devastating offshore and maritime accidents. We know that behind every case is a story of perseverance, family, and trust, and we treat each client with the respect and compassion they deserve.
If you or a loved one was injured or killed while working aboard a commercial fishing vessel, don’t wait to get help. Contact The Lanier Law Firm today online or by calling (800) 723-3216.
