Pasadena Offshore Injury Lawyer
If you work offshore out of Pasadena, TX, you know that you are at risk of injuries caused by blown-out valves, crane strikes, chemical exposures, and falls from elevated platforms as part of the job. When something goes wrong on a rig or production vessel, the injuries are severe, and the legal questions that follow are complex.
Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers represents offshore workers and their families across Pasadena and the greater Houston Ship Channel region. Our Pasadena, TX offshore injury lawyer has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injured workers in maritime and industrial accident cases, including a $16 million settlement for a Jones Act seaman with head and neck injuries sustained while working offshore. We handle every offshore injury case on a contingency fee basis, and consultations are always free. If you’ve been hurt on a platform, vessel, or offshore worksite, contact us today.
Why Choose Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers for Pasadena, TX Offshore Injury Cases?
Mike Streich Knows the Defense Playbook
Attorney Mike Streich brings 14 years of legal experience to Pasadena offshore injury cases. Before switching sides, Mike spent nearly a decade representing corporations and major insurance syndicates, including Lloyd’s of London syndicate members, in catastrophic injury and death cases tied to offshore incidents, pipeline failures, and refinery disasters.
He also worked at Royston, Rayzor, Vickery & Williams, one of the oldest maritime injury law firms in Texas, and at Phelps Dunbar in Louisiana, where he represented vessel owners and offshore companies. As a young associate, he served as an on-call first responder for shipboard investigations, interviewing crew members, collecting evidence, and working with U.S. federal agencies following vessel and port incidents.
Mike spent a year as in-house counsel to an offshore construction company, handling all legal operations, including injury claims. He earned his J.D. cum laude from UH Law Center and his B.A. from the University of Texas. He has been named a Texas Rising Star by Super Lawyers multiple times and is a member of the Houston Trial Lawyers Association.
That defense-side background means Mike understands how offshore companies investigate claims, evaluate risk, and minimize what they pay out. He now uses that knowledge to represent injured workers as a personal injury lawyer in Pasadena, TX.
Matt Greenberg Tries Cases Other Firms Won’t
Attorney Matt Greenberg is a Texas trial lawyer with 12 years of experience in high-stakes personal injury litigation. He has served as lead trial counsel in cases producing record-setting verdicts and settlements across Texas, including the largest recorded personal injury settlement in Tarrant County and the largest recorded personal injury verdict in Montgomery County. Matt graduated magna cum laude from Abilene Christian University, earned a Master’s in English, and received his J.D. from Baylor Law School. He has been recognized by Lawdragon, the National Trial Lawyers, and Super Lawyers.
Proven Results in Maritime and Offshore Cases
Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions in total compensation for clients across Texas. In offshore and maritime cases, those recoveries include a $16 million settlement for a Jones Act seaman who suffered traumatic head and neck injuries, a $3.5 million maritime injury recovery, and a $2.7 million settlement for another injured maritime worker. We have also secured a $20 million settlement for a burned oilfield worker and over $12.7 million in a separate oilfield injury matter.
What Our Clients Say
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“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
See additional reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Pasadena Offshore Injury Cases We Handle
Pasadena sits along the Houston Ship Channel, and thousands of workers travel from this area to offshore platforms, drilling vessels, and production facilities in the Gulf of Mexico. Federal maritime law governs most of the injury claims that arise from these worksites.
- Jones Act claims. Seamen injured due to employer negligence aboard a vessel in navigation can file suit under federal maritime law. We handle these cases from investigation through trial if necessary.
- Platform and rig accidents. Falls from heights, equipment failures, crane collapses, and structural failures on fixed or floating platforms cause life-changing injuries. These cases often involve multiple contractors and operators.
- Explosions and fires. Gas leaks, chemical reactions, and equipment malfunctions can trigger blasts on offshore worksites. Burn injuries from these events are often catastrophic.
- Boating accidents. Crew boat collisions, supply vessel incidents, and accidents during personnel transfers between vessels and platforms are common offshore hazards.
- Diving and underwater injuries. Commercial divers face decompression sickness, equipment failures, and drowning risks. These cases often involve both the Jones Act and general maritime negligence claims.
- Crane and rigging failures. Heavy lift operations on offshore platforms are dangerous. When a crane fails or a load shifts, workers below have almost no time to react, and the resulting catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, can be permanent.
Texas Legal Requirements for Offshore Injury Cases
Offshore injury claims don’t follow the same rules as a typical Texas personal injury case. The legal framework depends on where the injury occurred, what type of work the injured person was doing, and what kind of structure or vessel was involved.
The Jones Act (46 U.S.C. § 30104) is the primary federal statute governing injury claims by seamen. It allows a crew member injured due to employer negligence to bring a negligence lawsuit with the right to a jury trial. Unlike standard workers’ compensation, the Jones Act requires only that the employer’s negligence played some part in causing the injury, which is a lower burden of proof than most negligence claims.
For maritime workers who don’t qualify as seamen, the LHWCA (Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act) provides benefits for injuries occurring on navigable waters or in adjoining areas such as docks, terminals, and loading zones. The LHWCA is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor through its Longshore Division.
For injuries on the Outer Continental Shelf, the OCSLA (Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act) extends the reach of certain state and federal laws to fixed platforms and artificial islands. Workers injured on these structures often have claims under both federal and state law, depending on the circumstances.
There is also the doctrine of maintenance and cure, which requires a vessel owner to pay for a seaman’s medical treatment and living expenses during recovery, regardless of fault. And general maritime negligence law holds vessel owners liable when a vessel or its equipment is not reasonably fit for its intended purpose.
Texas has also enacted recent tort reform changes that alter damage caps and procedural rules in certain injury cases, adding another layer of complexity for offshore workers filing in state court.
What Damages Are Recoverable in Pasadena Offshore Injury Cases?
The damages available in an offshore injury case depend on the legal theory that applies. Under the Jones Act, an injured seaman can recover compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost wages during recovery, reduced earning capacity if the injury prevents a return to the same type of work, and pain and suffering. Jones Act claims also allow recovery for mental anguish.
Under the LHWCA, benefits are more structured. An injured worker receives compensation at a rate of two-thirds of their average weekly wage, subject to a national maximum rate, plus full coverage of necessary medical treatment. The LHWCA provides scheduled awards for specific injuries such as loss of a limb or hearing loss, as well as benefits for permanent total disability.
General maritime negligence claims and unseaworthiness actions can provide broader damages than the LHWCA. These include full compensation for lost earning capacity, future medical costs, and non-economic losses such as loss of enjoyment of life. Punitive damages are available in certain maintenance and cure cases where a vessel owner willfully and unreasonably refuses to pay.
In wrongful death cases arising from offshore incidents, the Jones Act permits surviving family members to recover for loss of financial support, loss of services, funeral costs, and pre-death pain and suffering. For deaths on the high seas beyond a certain distance from shore, the Death on the High Seas Act applies.
Texas state law damages can also apply in offshore injury matters, particularly where the OCSLA incorporates state law as surrogate federal law, which affects both the types and amounts of recoverable damages.
What Steps Should I Take After an Offshore Injury?
- Get medical attention immediately. Offshore platforms and vessels have medics, but the injuries that result from rig accidents, falls, and equipment failures often require onshore hospital care. Make sure your injuries are properly documented from the start.
- Report the injury to your supervisor. Federal regulations under OSHA maritime standards and BSEE reporting requirements require certain incidents to be reported. A written incident report should be created immediately.
- Document the scene. If you are physically able, take photographs or videos of the area where the injury occurred, any equipment involved, and your visible injuries. Write down the names of witnesses while details are still fresh.
- Keep copies of everything. Incident reports, medical records, medication lists, imaging results, and any written communications with your employer or their insurance carrier. Save text messages and emails related to the accident.
- Do not sign anything from the company’s representatives without legal advice. Offshore employers and their insurers will often ask injured workers to give recorded statements or sign documents shortly after an incident. These are used to limit liability, not to protect you.
- Do not post about the accident on social media. Defense attorneys monitor injured workers’ accounts and will use your posts to undermine your claim.
- Track all expenses and lost income. Medical bills, travel costs for treatment, prescriptions, and every day of work you miss. Note how the accident has affected your daily life.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan. Missing appointments or ignoring medical advice gives defense counsel ammunition to argue your injuries aren’t serious.
- Learn about your legal rights. Offshore workers are not always covered by Texas workers’ compensation. The Jones Act, LHWCA, and general maritime law often apply instead, and each comes with different benefits and deadlines. Workers dealing with oilfield accident claims in Texas face unique procedural requirements, and the steps after an accident can vary depending on where the injury occurred.
- Contact a Pasadena offshore injury attorney as soon as possible. Evidence disappears quickly, and witnesses’ memories fade over time. There are also statutes of limitation that vary depending on which federal law applies, so moving quickly matters.
Pasadena Offshore Injury Statistics
According to BSEE (Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement), offshore facilities in the Gulf of America region continue to report hundreds of injuries annually. In the most recent performance data, production facility total recordable injury rates increased by 23.8% in 2024 compared to the prior year, and construction operations increased by 1.7%. Slip, trip, and fall incidents alone accounted for 22% of all injuries reported to BSEE between May 2024 and April 2025, surpassing lifting injuries for the first time in recent history.
Data from a CDC study tracking fatalities from 2014 to 2019 found 470 worker deaths in the oil and gas extraction industry. Vehicle incidents, contact with objects, and explosions were the three leading causes. Texas accounted for 219 of those deaths, nearly half the national total.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 578 fatal workplace injuries in Texas in 2022, with industrial sites including maritime dockyards and loading platforms accounting for 20% of fatalities.
Many of these workers live in Harris County and surrounding cities like Pasadena. Refinery accidents, offshore platform incidents, and construction site failures in this region fall under federal jurisdiction, which means state-level personal injury rules often do not apply.
Pasadena Offshore Injury Lawyer FAQs
What qualifies as an offshore injury under the law?
An offshore injury is any work-related injury that occurs on navigable waters, aboard a vessel in navigation, or on a platform or artificial island on the Outer Continental Shelf. This includes injuries on drilling rigs, production platforms, supply boats, crew transfer vessels, and jack-up rigs.
Who counts as a seaman under the Jones Act?
A seaman is someone who contributes to the function or mission of a vessel and has a substantial connection to that vessel or an identifiable fleet. The connection must be substantial in both duration and nature. Offshore rig workers on mobile drilling units can also qualify.
How is an offshore injury claim different from workers’ comp?
Texas does not require employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance, and many offshore employers are not covered by the state system at all. Instead, federal laws like the Jones Act and the LHWCA apply. These laws allow injured workers to pursue broader damages than what workers’ compensation typically provides, including pain and suffering.
How long do I have to file an offshore injury claim?
Under the Jones Act, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the injury. LHWCA claims must be filed within one year of the injury or the last payment of benefits. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your claim. General maritime negligence claims also follow a three-year limitation under admiralty law.
What if my employer says I was at fault for the accident?
Under the Jones Act, your employer’s negligence only needs to have played some part in causing the injury. Even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover. Texas follows a comparative fault approach in many cases, meaning your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault but not eliminated entirely.
Can I sue my employer for an offshore injury?
The Jones Act specifically allows seamen to file lawsuits against their employers for negligence. This is different from workers’ compensation, which typically prevents lawsuits against the employer. If you qualify as a Jones Act seaman, you have the right to a jury trial.
What is maintenance and cure?
Maintenance is a daily stipend for living expenses while a seaman recovers from an injury. Cure covers the cost of medical treatment until the seaman reaches maximum medical improvement. These benefits are owed regardless of fault.
Do offshore injury cases go to trial?
Some cases do go to trial, but many are resolved through settlement. Our firm prepares every case as though it will go to trial. When an offshore company or their insurer refuses to offer reasonable compensation, we are ready to try the case.
What if someone died in an offshore accident?
The Jones Act provides a wrongful death cause of action for the personal representative of a deceased seaman. Surviving family members can recover for loss of financial support, loss of services, and funeral expenses. The Death on the High Seas Act also applies depending on where the death occurred.
Will I lose my job if I file a claim?
Federal law prohibits retaliation against workers who exercise their legal rights. If your employer terminates or demotes you for filing a claim, that action itself can give rise to additional legal claims.
How much does it cost to hire an offshore injury attorney?
We work on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront costs, and you owe us nothing unless we recover money on your behalf.
Can an independent contractor file an offshore injury claim?
It depends on the working relationship and the specific laws involved. Some workers classified as independent contractors still qualify for Jones Act or LHWCA protection depending on how their work was structured and supervised.
What types of evidence matter most in offshore injury cases?
Incident reports, medical records, maintenance logs, safety inspection records, crew change documents, and scene photographs are critical. Black box data from vessels and BSEE investigation reports also play major roles.
How do I know which law applies to my case?
That determination depends on your job duties, where the injury occurred, and whether you qualify as a seaman, a harbor worker, or a worker on the OCS. Each classification carries different legal rights, different deadlines, and different available damages.
What should I do if the company’s insurance adjuster contacts me?
Do not give a recorded statement. Do not agree to a settlement offer without consulting an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. Anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim.
Most Dangerous Locations for Pasadena Offshore Injuries
Pasadena’s geography places it at the center of one of the most industrialized waterway corridors in the country.
The Houston Ship Channel runs directly through and adjacent to Pasadena. Barge traffic, vessel loading, dock operations, and chemical release incidents along this corridor create constant hazards for maritime workers.
Galveston Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway serve as staging areas for offshore crew boats and supply vessels. Injuries during crew transfers and vessel-to-platform operations are common in these waters.
Workers also deploy from Pasadena to offshore platforms throughout the Gulf of Mexico, including deepwater production facilities south of Galveston and drilling rigs operating in federal waters. The farther from shore these facilities sit, the more dangerous evacuation and emergency response become. Helicopter transport carries its own risk, and delayed medical treatment for injured workers on remote platforms worsens outcomes.
Locally, the intersection of the petrochemical corridor along Highway 225 and the Ship Channel concentrates heavy industrial activity, pipeline operations, and equipment yards that serve the offshore industry.
What Are Important Local Resources for Pasadena Offshore Injury?
If you’ve been injured in an offshore accident near Pasadena, several local organizations and agencies are relevant to your situation. The following resources serve the Pasadena and greater Houston area.
Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers is not affiliated with and does not endorse any of the organizations listed below. This information is provided solely as a general reference.
- HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast (formerly Bayshore Medical Center), 4000 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena, TX 77504, (713) 359-2000
- UTMB Health Clear Lake Campus, 200 Blossom St, Webster, TX 77598, (409) 772-1011
- Pasadena Police Department, 1201 Davis St, Pasadena, TX 77506, (713) 477-1221
- OSHA Houston Area Office, 17625 El Camino Real, Suite 400, Houston, TX 77058, (281) 286-0583
- U.S. Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston, 9640 Clinton Dr, Houston, TX 77029, (713) 671-5100
- BSEE (Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement), Lake Charles and New Orleans District Offices
Contact Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers
Federal maritime law, overlapping regulations, and well-funded corporate defense attorneys make Pasadena offshore injury claims difficult to win. Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers represents injured workers in Pasadena and across the Texas Gulf Coast. There are no fees unless we win, and every consultation is free. If you’ve been hurt on an offshore platform, vessel, or worksite, contact our Pasadena injury lawyers today.
