Texas Tanker Ship Accident Lawyer
When maritime workers are injured in a tanker ship accident, the consequences can be catastrophic for them and their families. The Lanier Law Firm’s award-winning Texas tanker ship accident lawyers have decades of experience fighting for justice and full compensation for injured seamen and grieving families.
- Content Reviewed by:
- Lawrence P. Wilson
- Page Last Updated:
- January 13, 2026
Navigate This Page
- Our Talented Tanker Ship Accident Lawyer: Experience That Gets Results
- What Laws Protect Tanker Ship Workers?
- Compensation for Tanker Ship Accidents in Texas
- How Our Dedicated Tanker Ship Accident Attorneys Can Help
- Contact an Award-Winning Tanker Ship Accident Lawyer in Houston, TX
- FAQs About Tanker Ship Accident Cases
Tanker ships are essential to global trade, carrying massive quantities of oil, chemicals, and other hazardous materials across the world’s waterways. When negligence or unsafe conditions arise, these enormous vessels can become the scene of devastating accidents with life-changing consequences. In 2023 alone, 118 workers were injured in freight vessel accidents, including those involving tankers, highlighting the dangers associated with this line of work.
If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed in a tanker ship accident in Texas, The Lanier Law Firm is ready to help you seek the justice and compensation you deserve.
Our Talented Tanker Ship Accident Lawyer: Experience That Gets Results
The Lanier Law Firm’s maritime and offshore accident lawyers have spent decades representing injured maritime workers and the families of those lost in tragic tanker ship accidents. From collisions and fires to equipment failures and toxic exposure, our attorneys possess the knowledge and trial experience to handle complex maritime claims governed by federal law. Our record of success includes landmark verdicts and settlements that have helped shape maritime injury law and hold negligent corporations accountable.
Judson Waltman
Judson Waltman is a nationally recognized trial lawyer and Managing Attorney at The Lanier Law Firm’s Houston office. He has more than 25 years of experience handling catastrophic personal injury, maritime, and wrongful death cases, and has secured numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for clients, including one of the largest verdicts in the history of Ward County, Texas, for an injured oilfield worker. He has earned recognition from The Best Lawyers in America and Texas Super Lawyers for his work in personal injury litigation.
Larry Wilson
Larry Wilson is a seasoned trial attorney and Senior Attorney at The Lanier Law Firm’s Houston office. He brings over three decades of experience in complex personal injury and maritime litigation, having successfully represented offshore workers and seamen in accidents involving tanker and cargo ships. He was named as one of the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers and has been rated AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell.
Call 800-723-3216 now to see if our law firm can pursue compensation for you and your family after a tanker ship accident. Consultations are free.
“The Lanier Group notified and updated us in a timely manner on any actions we needed to take in order to comply with any directions from the court. In addition, the Lanier Group kept us informed of all court dates and decisions. My husband and I are extremely satisfied with the results of the case!”
– H.G.
“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.
“I’m extremely grateful for the outstanding support I received from Larry Wilson and Daniel Renger and the team at The Lanier Law Firm. From the very beginning, they handled my personal injury case with professionalism, compassion, and dedication.”
– Maher Z.
What Laws Protect Tanker Ship Workers?
Tanker ship workers are protected by federal maritime laws designed to ensure their safety and provide them with a path to financial recovery for injuries. The two key laws that apply to these cases are the Jones Act and the Death on the High Seas Act, or DOSHA.
The Jones Act, formally known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, provides legal protections and remedies to seamen injured on the job. It allows eligible maritime workers to file a lawsuit against their employer for negligence, rather than relying on workers’ compensation benefits. It covers medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages that help injured maritime workers rebuild their lives after serious accidents.
A worker must qualify as a “seaman” for protection under the Jones Act. The law generally defines seamen as those who spend a significant portion of their time working on a vessel in navigation.
For families of those who lost their lives in tanker ship or oil rig accidents that occur more than three nautical miles from U.S. shores, the Death on the High Seas Act provides a legal path to pursue justice. This law allows the surviving family to recover damages for the financial support and services their loved one provided.
Compensation for Tanker Ship Accidents in Texas
The compensation available after a tanker ship accident in Texas depends on the type of claim filed. The Jones Act and DOSHA each allow injured workers and families of deceased seamen to pursue financial recovery tailored to their specific losses.
What Damages Can You Recover for Injuries in Tanker Ship Accidents?
Injured tanker ship workers may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover the measurable financial losses, such as medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and loss of future earning capacity. Non-economic damages compensate for intangible harms that can have a lasting impact, including pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress. The Lanier Law Firm’s experienced maritime attorneys understand how to calculate and prove these damages to ensure clients receive the full compensation they deserve.
Can You Recover Damages for a Loved One Who Died in a Tanker Accident?
Families who lost a loved one in a fatal tanker ship accident may be able to recover compensation under the Death on the High Seas Act. While DOSHA does not allow recovery for emotional grief, it serves as a crucial means of financial justice for families left behind after tragic maritime accidents. The Lanier Law Firm assists families in navigating this process with compassion and a profound understanding of maritime law litigation.
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- Passionate legal advocates with decades of trial experience
- Over $20 billion recovered for our clients
- No upfront costs or fees
How Our Dedicated Tanker Ship Accident Attorneys Can Help
If you’ve been injured in a tanker ship accident, navigating the legal process can feel overwhelming, especially when facing powerful maritime companies and their insurers. The Lanier Law Firm’s dedicated tanker ship accident attorneys have decades of experience guiding clients through these complex cases with precision, compassion, and determination.
Here’s what The Lanier Law Firm can do for you:
- Conduct an extensive investigation into the accident to determine who is responsible.
- Gather evidence to prove liability and build the strongest case possible.
- Develop and execute a winning legal strategy to maximize your compensation, holding all parties accountable.
- Negotiate for a full and fair settlement that compensates for all your losses.
- File your lawsuit promptly.
- Litigate your case and take it to trial, if necessary, if that’s what it takes to pursue justice and compensation.
“We will not be outspent, will not be outworked, and we can handle the big cases and ensure success for our clients.”
Contact an Award-Winning Tanker Ship Accident Lawyer in Houston, TX
Tanker ship accidents can leave victims and their families facing lifelong consequences, but you don’t have to face this journey alone. Our award-winning firm has built its reputation on providing serious and sound legal care, standing up to major corporations, and securing record-setting case results for injured maritime workers and their families.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a tanker ship accident, our Texas tanker ship accident lawyers are ready to help you pursue justice. We offer free consultations and don’t charge any fees unless we win your case. Contact The Lanier Law Firm today through our online form or by calling (800) 723-3216.
Lawrence P. Wilson is dedicated to personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and certain maritime matters. He recently settled a $17.5 million personal injury case and secured a favorable verdict in Schwab v. Ford Motor Company. Recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer (2012-2021) and named to Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Lawyers.
FAQs About Tanker Ship Accident Cases
How Much Does It Cost To Hire an Oil Tanker Accident Lawyer in Texas?
At The Lanier Law Firm, we believe cost should never stand in the way of justice. Our oil tanker accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing up front and owe us nothing unless we successfully recover compensation for you.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit for My Tanker Accident?
The Jones Act and DOSHA generally provide three years from the date of the accident or death to file a lawsuit. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar you from recovering compensation, so make sure to speak with an experienced maritime attorney as soon as possible.
What Are the Causes of Tanker Ship Accidents and Who is Liable?
Tanker ship accidents often occur due to a combination of human error, poor maintenance, and environmental hazards. Common causes of tanker ship accidents include the following:
- Inadequate training or maritime safety procedures
- Equipment malfunctions or vessel defects
- Collisions and navigational errors
- Fires and explosions
- Severe weather or rough seas
Those liable may include shipowners, employers, vessel operators, manufacturers, or third-party contractors responsible for maintenance or safety oversight. The Lanier Law Firm investigates every aspect of an accident to identify all liable parties and pursue the maximum compensation available under maritime law.
What Are the Common Injuries in Tanker Ship Accidents?
Tanker ship accidents can lead to severe, life-threatening injuries due to the dangerous nature of the work and materials involved. Common injuries include the following:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries, or TBI
- Severe burns
- Toxic exposure injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Falling overboard and drowning
- Fatal injuries
