Pasadena Jones Act Lawyer
If you’ve been injured while working aboard a vessel on the Houston Ship Channel or in waters near Pasadena, the financial and physical toll starts immediately. Medical bills are accumulating, you cannot work, and your employer’s insurance company is already looking for ways to minimize what it pays.
The Jones Act gives injured seamen the right to hold negligent employers accountable. It is a federal statute, and it works differently from state personal injury law or workers’ compensation. That distinction matters. Our Pasadena, TX Jones Act lawyers have the maritime background to handle these claims at every stage.
If you are a maritime worker dealing with an injury, we offer free consultations and charge no fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Why Choose Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers for Jones Act Cases in Pasadena, TX?
Maritime Law Background on Both Sides
Mike Streich has 14 years of experience handling Jones Act cases and maritime injury claims. Before representing injured workers, he spent nearly a decade on the other side of these disputes. He defended corporations and represented insurance syndicates, including Lloyd’s of London syndicate members, in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases connected to offshore incidents, pipeline accidents, and vessel operations.
He previously worked at Royston, Rayzor, Vickery & Williams, one of the oldest maritime injury law firms in Texas, and at Phelps Dunbar, one of the largest maritime firms in Louisiana. As a young associate, Mike served as an on-call first responder for shipboard investigations. He boarded vessels in the hours after maritime incidents, interviewed crew members, gathered evidence, and worked directly with federal agencies on maritime matters. He also spent a year as in-house counsel to an offshore construction company, handling all legal operations, including injury cases.
That defense-side experience means Mike understands how vessel owners and their insurers structure their arguments and minimize exposure. He now uses that knowledge against them. Matt Greenberg brings 12 years of trial experience in high-stakes injury cases across Texas and has served as lead trial counsel in cases producing record verdicts and settlements. Together, they’ve helped clients recover millions of dollars in maritime, offshore, and industrial injury cases. That includes a $16 million settlement Mike secured for a Jones Act seaman who suffered a traumatic brain injury while working offshore.
Recognized by Peers and Industry Organizations
Matt has been recognized by Super Lawyers, Lawdragon, and the National Trial Lawyers for his trial skills. He is a member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice. Mike was named a Texas Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2014, 2017 through 2021, and 2023 through 2025. He is also a member of the Houston Trial Lawyers Association. Matt earned his J.D. from Baylor Law School after graduating magna cum laude from Abilene Christian University. Mike graduated cum laude from the UH Law Center and earned his undergraduate degree in Government from the University of Texas at Austin.
A Personal Injury Lawyer in Pasadena, TX Who Fights for Maritime Workers
We represent the plaintiff’s side exclusively. Every personal injury lawyer in Pasadena, TX at our firm is focused on getting injured workers what they are owed. We don’t represent companies. We don’t represent insurers. That single focus shapes how we prepare every Jones Act claim. And we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe nothing upfront and pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Mike Streich is an outstanding injury attorney, and I am deeply grateful for everything he has done for my family. He represented us in a wrongful death case after my children’s father was tragically killed due to a company’s negligence. It was the most painful and overwhelming time of our lives, and Mike handled our case with compassion, strength, and unwavering dedication.” – Regina Brown
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Jones Act Cases We Handle in Pasadena
Pasadena sits along one of the busiest stretches of the Houston Ship Channel, where vessel traffic, barge operations, and industrial marine work create daily exposure to serious hazards. We handle Jones Act and maritime injury claims for workers hurt in the following types of incidents.
- Offshore injuries. Crew members working on drilling rigs, production platforms, and supply vessels face risks from heavy equipment, hazardous conditions, and crew fatigue. We pursue Jones Act negligence claims and unseaworthiness actions for offshore workers hurt by their employer’s failures.
- Maritime injuries. Deckhands, engineers, captains, tankermen, and other seamen on tugboats, barges, cargo ships, and supply boats can file under the Jones Act when their employer’s negligence causes harm. Falls overboard, crane accidents, mooring line incidents, and equipment failures are among the most common causes.
- Boating accidents. Collisions, allisions, and capsizing events on navigable waters near Pasadena can cause severe injuries. Crewmembers on commercial vessels often have claims under the Jones Act in addition to general maritime law.
- Oilfield accidents. Workers stationed on inland barges used in oil and gas operations along the Ship Channel can qualify as Jones Act seamen depending on their connection to the vessel. Maritime oilfield work carries unique legal considerations that affect how claims are investigated and filed.
- Refinery-related vessel incidents. Pasadena’s refineries and petrochemical plants sit directly along the Ship Channel. Workers transferring materials between shore facilities and barges or tankers sometimes sustain serious burn injuries or chemical exposure injuries during loading and unloading operations.
- Wrongful death. When a seaman dies because of employer negligence or an unseaworthy vessel, the Jones Act allows the worker’s personal representative to bring a wrongful death action against the responsible parties.
Texas Legal Requirements for Jones Act Claims
The Jones Act is a federal law, codified at 46 U.S.C. § 30104, that gives injured seamen the right to sue their employers for negligence. Unlike state workers’ compensation, which is a no-fault system, the Jones Act requires the injured worker to show that the employer’s negligence played some role in causing the injury. The burden of proof, however, is far lower than in a standard personal injury case. Courts have described it as a “featherweight” standard. Even a slight contribution to the cause of the injury is enough.
To bring a Jones Act claim, you must qualify as a “seaman.” The general test, established by the U.S. Supreme Court, requires that you spend at least 30% of your working time on a vessel in navigation and that your duties contribute to the vessel’s function or mission.
Under 46 U.S.C. § 30106, the statute of limitations for a Jones Act claim is three years from the date of the injury. If you are filing a claim involving a government vessel, the deadline is shortened to two years under the Suits in Admiralty Act. Missing these deadlines means losing your right to recover compensation permanently, regardless of how severe the injury is or how clear the negligence was.
Contributory negligence does not bar a Jones Act claim. If you were partially at fault, the damages you receive are reduced proportionally, but you still recover.
Separately, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) covers maritime workers who don’t qualify as seamen, such as dockworkers and harbor construction workers. Whether a worker falls under the Jones Act or the LHWCA depends on their specific duties and vessel connection, especially as recent Texas legal changes have shifted how certain injury claims are filed at the state level.
What Damages Are Recoverable in a Pasadena Jones Act Case?
Jones Act claims allow injured seamen to recover compensation that goes well beyond what’s available through standard workers’ compensation.
Economic damages cover the financial losses that come directly from the injury. Past and future medical expenses are recoverable, including surgeries, hospitalization, rehabilitation, prescription medications, and any assistive devices needed during recovery. Lost wages for time already missed from work are included, and so is the loss of future earning capacity if the injury prevents you from returning to maritime work at the same level. Maritime workers who suffer brain injuries or spinal cord damage often cannot return to vessel-based employment at all.
Non-economic damages address the harm that doesn’t carry a dollar figure on a receipt. Pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement all fall into this category. For seamen, the physical demands of maritime work often make even moderate injuries career-altering.
Maritime law also provides two additional forms of relief not available in most land-based injury cases. Maintenance is a daily living allowance your employer must pay while you are recovering and unable to work. Cure is the obligation to cover all reasonable and necessary medical treatment until you reach maximum medical improvement. Your employer owes maintenance and cure even if they were not negligent at all. In catastrophic injury cases, where the employer’s conduct is particularly reckless or egregious, punitive damages are available under general maritime law.
What Steps Should I Take After a Jones Act Maritime Injury?
- Get medical attention immediately. Whether you are taken to shore or treated aboard the vessel, make sure a medical professional evaluates your injuries. Do not downplay symptoms to get back to work faster.
- Report the injury to your supervisor. Federal regulations and most company policies require you to report a workplace injury right away. Ask for a copy of the written incident report.
- Document the scene. If you’re physically able, photograph the area where the injury occurred, the equipment involved, and any conditions like wet decks, broken gear, or missing safety equipment.
- Write down what happened. Record the date, time, location, weather conditions, and a description of the incident while it is fresh in your memory. Include names of any witnesses.
- Keep copies of everything. Medical records, incident reports, communications with your employer, prescriptions, and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses should all be preserved.
- Do not sign any documents from your employer’s insurer without legal advice. Insurance adjusters often present forms that look routine but contain language waiving rights or limiting future claims.
- Request maintenance and cure. Your employer is obligated to pay a daily living allowance and cover your medical costs during recovery. If they refuse, that itself gives rise to additional legal claims.
- Identify and contact witnesses. Maritime crews rotate and disperse quickly. Get the names, vessel assignments, and contact information of anyone who saw what happened, as these witnesses are often difficult to locate later.
- Preserve electronic evidence. Vessel logs, GPS data, safety inspection records, and communications can be deleted or overwritten quickly. A Jones Act attorney can send a preservation letter to prevent the destruction of evidence.
- Consult a Jones Act attorney. If you are recovering from a serious accident in Texas, having legal representation early protects your rights under both the Jones Act and general maritime law.
Jones Act Injury Statistics in Pasadena
Pasadena is home to Port Houston’s Bayport Container Terminal and sits directly along the Houston Ship Channel, the busiest waterway in the United States by vessel movements and tonnage. According to Port Houston statistics, the Ship Channel handles over 309 million tons of cargo annually, with an average of 50 deep-draft vessel movements and roughly 635 barge transits per day.
The U.S. Coast Guard reported 1,806 marine casualties involving U.S.-flagged vessels in 2024. The National Transportation Safety Board investigates the most serious of these incidents, often jointly with the Coast Guard. Towing vessels, which are a constant presence on the Houston Ship Channel, accounted for the highest number of incidents. Collisions made up 44% of towing vessel casualties. Material failures and loss of propulsion affected cargo and passenger vessels at disproportionate rates. Federal casualty data tracks vessel-level incidents but does not account for every individual crew member injury sustained during those events.
Nationally, BLS data show that transportation and material moving occupations accounted for 1,391 fatal workplace injuries in 2024 alone. Workers in transportation-related industries face a fatality rate of 12.5 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, far above the national average of 3.3.
The Ship Channel chemical release incident is one example of the industrial hazards concentrated along the Pasadena corridor. Workers on barges handling petroleum products, chemical tankers, and supply vessels face daily exposure to fire, explosion, toxic release, and mechanical hazards.
OSHA’s maritime industry standards cover shipyard employment, marine terminals, and longshoring operations, but Jones Act seamen have separate legal protections beyond those regulatory frameworks.
Pasadena Jones Act Lawyer FAQs
What is the Jones Act?
The Jones Act is a federal law under 46 U.S.C. § 30104 that allows injured seamen to file negligence claims against their employers. It provides protections similar to those available to railroad workers under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act.
Who qualifies as a seaman under the Jones Act?
You must spend at least 30% of your working time contributing to the function of a vessel in navigation. Tugboat crews, barge workers, deckhands, tankermen, supply vessel operators, and many offshore workers typically qualify.
How is a Jones Act claim different from workers’ compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system that limits the types of damages available. Jones Act claims require proof of negligence, but the standard is very low. In exchange, you can recover full damages, including pain and suffering, which workers’ comp does not cover.
What is the statute of limitations for a Jones Act claim in Texas?
Three years from the date of the injury. If the claim involves a government vessel, the deadline is two years. Missing the deadline permanently bars the claim.
What is maintenance and cure?
Maintenance is a daily stipend for living expenses. Cure covers your medical treatment. Your employer must pay both while you recover, regardless of who was at fault. These obligations exist independently of any negligence claim.
Can I still recover damages if I was partly at fault?
Yes, you can still recover. Contributory negligence reduces your damages proportionally but does not eliminate your claim. If you were 20% at fault, your recovery is reduced by 20%.
What does “unseaworthiness” mean?
A vessel is unseaworthy if any condition makes it unreasonably dangerous for its intended purpose. Defective equipment, inadequate crew training, slippery decks without non-skid, and broken safety equipment can all support an unseaworthiness claim under general maritime law.
Do I have to file my Jones Act claim in Texas?
Not necessarily, because Jones Act claims can be filed in federal or state court. Venue depends on where the employer is based, where the injury occurred, and other factors. A Pasadena Jones Act attorney can advise on the best forum for your case.
What if my employer retaliates after I file a claim?
Federal law prohibits maritime employers from retaliating against workers who exercise their legal rights. If your employer terminates you, demotes you, or reassigns you because you filed a Jones Act claim, you can pursue additional claims for retaliation.
Can I sue a third party in addition to my employer?
Yes, you can. If a third party, such as a vessel manufacturer, equipment supplier, or another company’s employee, contributed to your injury, you can bring claims against them as well.
How much does it cost to hire a Jones Act lawyer?
We handle all Jones Act cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing up front, and we are only paid if we recover compensation for you. Knowing the right consultation questions to ask any Jones Act attorney helps you evaluate whether they have the maritime experience your case requires.
What evidence is important in a Jones Act case?
Vessel logs, incident reports, safety inspection records, GPS data, crew schedules, maintenance records, photographs, and witness statements. Evidence disappears quickly in maritime cases because crews disperse and vessels move.
How long do Jones Act cases take to resolve?
Timelines vary depending on the complexity of the case. Some cases settle in months. Cases involving disputed seaman status, complex medical issues, or corporate defendants with aggressive legal teams can take longer. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial.
What is the difference between the Jones Act and the LHWCA?
The Jones Act covers seamen who work on vessels. The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act covers maritime workers on navigable waters or in adjoining areas like docks and terminals who are not seamen. The applicable legal framework depends on your job duties and connection to a vessel.
Should I talk to my employer’s insurance company?
Only after speaking with a Jones Act attorney. Insurance adjusters working for maritime employers are trained to minimize payouts. Statements you make early in the process can be used to undermine your claim later.
Most Dangerous Locations for Jones Act Injuries in Pasadena
The Houston Ship Channel corridor through Pasadena contains multiple high-risk zones for maritime workers. The areas where Jones Act injuries most commonly occur include:
The Houston Ship Channel itself, particularly the stretch between the Bayport Container Terminal and the Washburn Tunnel crossing, where vessel congestion, barge staging areas, and petrochemical docks create overlapping hazards for crew members. The Kinder Morgan and Magellan Midstream terminal facilities along the Ship Channel in Pasadena handle massive volumes of refined petroleum products, creating explosion and chemical exposure risks for maritime workers during transfer operations. Barge fleeting areas near the San Jacinto River confluence are another frequent source of injuries. The Bayport area, where container operations and vessel maneuvering overlap with industrial barge traffic, is another high-frequency injury zone. The Chevron Phillips and LyondellBasell facilities along the Ship Channel also generate significant barge and tanker activity that exposes maritime workers to hazards from loading operations, gas releases, and mechanical failures.
What Are Important Local Resources for Pasadena Jones Act Injuries?
If you or a family member has been injured in a maritime incident near Pasadena, the following local resources are available to assist during your recovery.
Listing these resources does not constitute an endorsement by Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers. We have no affiliation with these organizations.
- HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast – (713) 359-2000. Full-service hospital in Pasadena with a Level III Trauma Center at 4000 Spencer Highway.
- Pasadena Police Department – (713) 477-1221. For reporting incidents that occur on shore or at dockside facilities.
- USCG Sector Houston-Galveston – (713) 671-5100. The agency responsible for investigating marine casualties and oil spills on the Houston Ship Channel.
- Port Houston – (713) 670-2400. Manages public terminal operations along the Ship Channel and coordinates with safety agencies regarding vessel traffic.
- Texas Workforce Commission – (512) 463-2222. Provides information on workplace safety and worker rights in Texas.
Contact Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers
If you were injured while working on a vessel in or near Pasadena, TX, our Jones Act attorneys are ready to evaluate your case. We handle maritime injury claims on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe us nothing unless we win. Consultations are free, and we respond to inquiries promptly. Reach out through our contact page or call our firm to schedule a case review.
