Texas Gangway and Boarding Accident Lawyer
Unsafe gangways expose maritime workers to a high risk of serious injury and death. Our nationally recognized Texas gangway accident lawyers can help you pursue substantial compensation through the Jones Act and other legal avenues if you or your loved one has been injured in a gangway accident.
Legally Reviewed By: Lawrence P. Wilson
Senior Attorney
- Page Last Updated:
- June 2, 2025
Why Hire the Lanier Law Firm’s Texas Gangway Accident Lawyers?
What Compensation Could You Get for Your Gangway Accident in Texas?
What Are the Common Causes of Gangway Accidents and Who Is Liable?
What Are the Legal Options After a Gangway Accident in Texas?
How Our Committed Gangway Accident Attorneys Can Help You
Contact Our Talented Gangway Accident Attorneys in Houston, Texas
Gangways can pose serious hazards to workers while boarding a vessel, installing the gangway, or removing it. The Mariner Safety Research Initiative reports that 60 percent of gangway accident injuries are serious enough to lead to missed workdays, and 5.6 percent result in workers going missing or suffering fatal injuries. Approximately 66 percent of gangway injuries stem from falls and struck-by accidents.
Vessel owners and employers have a legal duty to provide safe gangways and follow federal safety standards. If you have been injured in a gangway accident, you may be the victim of someone else’s negligence. Our Texas gangway accident attorneys can help you identify the responsible parties and hold them accountable.
Why Hire the Lanier Law Firm’s Texas Gangway Accident Lawyers?
Injury cases in navigable waters of the United States are governed by admiralty law. When you are injured on a sea vessel, including on a gangway, you need an attorney with knowledge and experience in maritime law litigation. We have been handling maritime cases for over 35 years, and many of our maritime and offshore accident attorneys have advanced degrees and specialized admiralty law designations.
We have handled numerous cases on behalf of injured crew members and dock workers, including the following:
- Disabling injuries by crew members of ocean-going and brown-water vessels
- The wrongful death and injuries of seamen stemming from a negligent rescue
- Inland river crew members injured on pushboats
- Seamen injured at sea in the oil industry
When you choose our knowledgeable attorneys, you can count on us to go to whatever lengths are necessary to recover maximized compensation through every available pathway. We provide compassionate, personalized legal care to every client. We have vast experience defeating large corporations in court and will not accept less than you deserve. We have recovered over $20 billion in compensation for our clients and are ready to work just as hard for you.
“If you need a lawyer, look no further. Lanier Law Firm will fight for you. You are not just another case for them. They make your case feel personal to them and fight for everything YOU deserve. They make you feel like family.”
– Brian B.
“I am so glad to have The Lanier Law Firm in my corner. They handle things quickly, communicate at every turn, and are genuinely passionate about making things right. We felt very alone, but thanks to this firm, we do not feel that way anymore. Wish I could give 10 stars.”
– Will R.
What Compensation Could You Get for Your Gangway Accident in Texas?
You may be entitled to the following types of compensation following a gangway accident:
- Maintenance and cure – basic living expenses and medical care while you recover, if you are a qualifying seaman under the Jones Act
- Workers’ Compensation – partial wage replacement and medical care under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act if you are not a qualifying seaman
- Economic damages – compensation for the financial costs of your injuries, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage
- Non-economic damages – compensation for subjective losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages – compensation for surviving family members of fatally injured workers, including loss of financial support, funeral expenses, and loss of inheritance
The types of compensation available in your case will depend on the location of your accident and whether you are a qualifying seaman. Our experienced maritime law attorneys can determine which laws your case falls under, advise you of your legal options, and help you file the appropriate claims. Call us today at (800) 723-3216 for a free case evaluation.
What Are the Common Causes of Gangway Accidents and Who Is Liable?
Maritime workers may be injured during the installation, removal, and use of gangways. The most common accident type during installation is getting struck by falling or moving objects, accounting for 46 percent of all installation-related injuries. Slips, trips, and falls are the next most common, followed by strains and sprains.
As many as 62 percent of gangway injuries and deaths occur during boarding. Slips, trips, and falls are the most common cause of boarding-related injuries, often due to slippery surfaces. In some cases, the vessel’s movement causes the gangway to shift, increasing the risk of falling to a lower level or into the water. Other common causes of gangway accidents include the following:
- Equipment failure
- Improper installation
- Faulty rigging
- Being caught between the ladder and the gangway
- Structural failures
- Lack of gangway safety training
- Improper use of the gangway
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s safety standards require gangways to be at least 20 inches wide, securely fastened, and equipped with handrails. They must be obstruction-free, well-lit, and properly trimmed without excessive inclines. Non-compliance with safety regulations puts workers at risk of serious gangway accidents. The following parties may be liable:
- Employers
- Vessel owners
- Contractors
- Subcontractors
- Equipment manufacturers
What Are the Legal Options After a Gangway Accident in Texas?
Federal maritime law usually governs gangway accidents. Your location and employment status determine your legal options.
Offshore Gangway Accident Injuries
If you were injured in an offshore gangway accident, you may qualify as an injured seaman. If so, you might be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit under the Jones Act, the unseaworthiness doctrine, or both. To qualify, you must be part of a ship’s crew or spend significant time as an employee on another type of movable vessel, such as an oil rig, in the navigable waters of the United States.
The Jones Act applies if someone else’s negligence caused or contributed to your accident. If your accident occurs because the gangway, the ship, or its crew was unfit, you may be able to sue for damages in an unseaworthiness claim.
If you were injured as a passenger on a cruise ship or someone else not directly employed as part of the crew, the Jones Act and unseaworthiness doctrines do not apply. However, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the owner of the ship and other responsible parties through a personal injury lawsuit under federal maritime law.
Fatal Offshore Gangway Accidents
Suppose your loved one has died from an offshore accident. In that case, you may be entitled to pursue wrongful death damages through a Jones Act or Death on the High Seas Act claim if they were a qualifying seaman. A wrongful death claim under the Jones Act allows you to recover economic and non-economic damages, which may include the following:
- Loss of your loved one’s probable lifetime income had they survived
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of estate value
- Loss of inheritance
- Medical expenses of the deceased
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of parental guidance
- Grief and mental suffering
The Death on the High Seas Act applies if your loved one was not a qualifying seaman. In this case, you could recover damages for monetary losses, but not for non-economic losses such as loss of companionship.
Onshore Gangway Accident Injuries
If you or your loved one was not a qualifying seaman, you may be able to recover compensation under general maritime laws. As a maritime employee, you would likely qualify for compensation under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. Compensation includes medical care, vocational rehabilitation services, and partial wage replacement, regardless of whether the employer was at fault.
However, multiple parties may have been involved in your gangway accident, such as equipment manufacturers, vessel owners, and maintenance and repair contractors. Although employers covered by workers’ compensation are exempt from most lawsuits, third parties are not. When you work with our attorneys, we will conduct a thorough investigation to identify all the liable parties. We will also determine what types of personal injury claims apply to your case and help you pursue full compensation.
How Our Committed Gangway Accident Attorneys Can Help You
Our award-winning firm has the resources and experience to handle every step of your gangway accident claim so you can focus on rest and recovery. We will leverage our extensive knowledge of maritime law and handle the following:
- Investigate your accident with the help of private investigators and forensic experts
- Identify all of the responsible parties
- Determine which types of claims you qualify for
- Review your medical records and collaborate with life care planners and medical experts to calculate the lifetime costs of your injuries
- File your claim in the appropriate jurisdiction before the deadline expires
- Negotiate for a maximized settlement
- Present a compelling case to a jury if the defendants refuse to offer a fair settlement
We will travel to you for your convenience and keep you informed about your case until we resolve your claim.
Contact Our Talented Gangway Accident Attorneys in Houston, Texas
You deserve compensation if you or your loved one is injured in a gangway accident as a result of someone else’s negligence. Our dedicated Texas gamingway accident lawyers have the experience, resources, and stamina to stand up to negligent corporations and recover full compensation. Contact The Lanier Law Firm online today or call (800) 723-3216 to schedule your free consultation.
FAQs About Gangway and Boarding Accident Cases in Texas
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Gangway Accident Lawyer?
There is no upfront cost to hiring our Houston gangway accident lawyers. We pay all the litigation costs upfront and collect our fees and costs from your compensation. If we don’t win, you don’t pay.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit for a Gangway Injury in Texas?
You generally must file your maritime accident claim within three years of the date of injury or death. However, this deadline can vary based on the type of claim you file and the circumstances of your accident. If you miss the deadline, you could lose out on your right to recover compensation. It is crucial to contact a knowledgeable gangway accident lawyer as soon as possible to ensure your case is filed on time.
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Houston, TX 77064
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