Jones Act Attorney in San Antonio

Protecting Injured Maritime Workers & Their Families

If you were hurt while working on a vessel, barge, tug, or offshore oil rig, the future can seem uncertain. How will you pay your medical bills? Will you be able to return to work, and if so, when? What will you do if your injuries are permanent? While maritime law gives injured seamen important rights, especially under the Jones Act, employers and insurers rarely explain those rights clearly. That's where we can help.

At Marc LaHood Law, we help injured maritime workers in and around San Antonio understand and assert their rights when an unsafe vessel or careless employer causes harm. As an experienced Jones Act attorney, Marc LaHood can review what happened, explain your options in plain language, and help you decide your next step.

Our firm offers free, confidential consultations, and if we do not win your personal injury case, you do not pay. From our very first conversation, we focus on protecting your health, your income, and your future.

Call our office at (210) 714-2625 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with a knowledgeable Jones Act lawyer in San Antonio.

Why Injured Maritime Workers Choose Us

When your livelihood depends on physically demanding work, an injury can impact every part of your life. You can't afford to NOT fight for every dollar you deserve. You need a law firm that has been standing up for hardworking people in this community for generations, a law firm that knows how to prepare serious cases for trial. At Marc LaHood Law, that's what we do.

The LaHood family has served clients in San Antonio courts since 1967. That history matters. It demonstrates our long-standing commitment to protecting the rights of injured maritime workers, and it proves that we're never willing to back down. Our team understands local court procedures, and we use that knowledge to strategically guide each case.

Our firm is led by attorney Marc LaHood, a proven trial lawyer who has handled countless complex, high-stakes cases. Our approach involves preparing every personal injury case as if it will be presented to a jury. This sends a clear message to maritime employers and their insurers that we are ready to put in the work, which can create real leverage in negotiations.

Just as important, we treat clients like family, not file numbers. We listen carefully to how your injury has changed your life, from missed shifts to long-term career concerns. Then we give you direct, honest advice about your options. We do not make empty promises or chase quick, cookie-cutter settlements. Instead, we tailor our strategies to the individual circumstances that make your case unique.

Understanding Your Rights Under the Jones Act

The Jones Act is a federal law that allows qualifying maritime workers, defined as “seamen,” to bring claims against their employers when negligence plays a role in an on-the-job or work-related injury. In simple terms, if your employer failed to provide a reasonably safe place to work, and you were hurt as a result, you may have the right to seek compensation. 

Who Qualifies for the Jones Act?

Not every maritime worker is considered a “seaman” under the Jones Act. Generally, to qualify, you must spend a significant amount of your working time as a crew member who contributes to the function or mission of a vessel in navigation. This can include deckhands on barges along the Gulf Coast, crews on offshore supply vessels, and others whose work is tied to a particular vessel or fleet.

How Is the Jones Act Different From Workers' Compensation?

Jones Act claims differ from ordinary workers' compensation cases. Instead of a no-fault system with limited benefits, the Jones Act allows injured seamen to sue their employers if negligence contributed to the incident. 

Negligence can include things like: 

• Failing to fix known hazards
• Ignoring safety rules
• Not providing proper training
• Requiring work in dangerous conditions without proper precautions
• Failing to replace broken or defective equipment
• Inadequate vessel maintenance

A San Antonio Jones Act lawyer can help identify if and where your employer fell short. We encourage you to reach out to our firm if you believe your employer's negligence may have contributed to your accident or injury.

What is “Unseaworthiness?"

Separate from negligence, maritime law recognizes the concept of “unseaworthiness.” A vessel can be considered unseaworthy if its equipment, crew, or conditions are not reasonably fit for their intended use. 

Examples include but are not limited to: 

• Broken winches
• Worn ladders
• Understaffed crews
• Lack of adequate training
• Insufficient maintenance 

Unseaworthiness claims typically target the vessel owner, and they can be filed in place of or alongside Jones Act negligence claims.

What Is Maintenance & Cure?

Most injured seamen are also entitled to something called “maintenance and cure.” Maintenance is a daily monetary amount that helps cover basic living expenses while you are unable to work because of your injury. Cure is payment of “reasonable and necessary” medical treatment until you reach maximum medical improvement. 

Employers and their insurers sometimes try to stop these payments early or argue that treatment is not necessary. Our San Antonio Jones Act lawyer can step in if that happens and help protect your right to these important benefits.

What To Do After A Maritime Injury

In the hours, days, and weeks after a vessel or offshore injury, it can be hard to know what to do. You may be in pain, navigating medical appointments, getting calls from company representatives, and worried about missing paychecks or getting back to work. Taking a few careful steps now can protect your health and your legal rights later.

Here are some helpful steps after a maritime or offshore injury:

• Seek prompt medical treatment and follow the recommendations you are given. Your first priority is always your immediate safety and getting medical care. Even if you feel that you were not seriously injured, it's important to see a doctor, as you could have underlying or difficult-to-spot symptoms that need to be treated.
• Report the injury, but avoid guessing about fault or downplaying your pain. Report the injury as soon as possible and ask to see a medical professional, whether on the vessel, at a clinic near the dock, or when you return home to the San Antonio area. Do not minimize your symptoms, and try to describe every part of your body that hurts, even if it seems minor at the time.
• Write down details about the vessel, crew, conditions, and how the incident happened. If you can do so safely, pay attention to the conditions that caused your injury. That can include wet or oily decks, missing non skid surfaces, broken handrails, poor lighting, or understaffed shifts. Note the names of co workers who saw what happened and any comments supervisors make about prior problems. Simple notes taken on your phone or in a notebook can become valuable later.
• Keep copies of medical records, bills, and any communication from your employer or insurer. These documents can serve as valuable evidence for your future Jones Act claim. If you do not have copies of medical records, accident reports, or other documents, don't worry. Our firm can help obtain these documents and other important evidence for your case.
• Contact a Jones Act attorney for a free consultation before signing forms or giving recorded statements. Be cautious with paperwork and statements. Employers and their insurers often ask injured workers to fill out incident reports, sign authorizations for broad access to medical records, or provide recorded statements. What you say or sign can be used to limit your claim. You generally have the right to take time to review documents and to seek legal advice first.

When you reach out to Marc LaHood Law, we listen to your story in confidence and review any paperwork you have been asked to sign. We explain how the Jones Act might apply and what options you may have, so you can make decisions with clear information instead of pressure.

How We Build Strong Jones Act Claims

Once you understand your basic rights, the next question is how a law firm can actually help. Jones Act and maritime injury cases often involve powerful companies, complex facts, and technical regulations. We approach these cases with the same trial ready focus we bring to all serious injury matters.

The process usually begins with a careful investigation of what happened on the vessel or offshore site. We gather and review pertinent documents, such as incident reports, maintenance logs, safety manuals, and training records. We look at crew assignments, hours worked, and prior reports of similar hazards. When needed, we consult with specialists to help us illustrate how the accident occurred and what should have been done differently.

Many Jones Act cases arise from patterns of negligence rather than a single obvious mistake. Employers may understaff crews, push for longer hours with fewer breaks, skip safety meetings, or delay necessary repairs to save time or money. Equipment on a tug or barge may be worn or outdated, and maintenance may be regularly ignored in favor of increased productivity. By digging into the details, we work to show how those choices created an unsafe environment that violated the duty to provide a seaworthy vessel and a reasonably safe place to work.

When we pursue a Jones Act claim, we focus on the full impact of your injury, not just the first round of medical bills. That can include lost wages from missed hitches, reduced future earning capacity if you cannot return to offshore or deck work, ongoing medical treatment, and the physical pain and emotional stress you have endured. Our goal is to present a clear picture of how this incident affects your life today and in the years ahead.

Throughout the process, we keep you informed and involved. We talk openly about strategy, whether that involves settlement discussions or preparing for trial. Our long, proven history of successful settlements and verdicts shows that we are prepared to see a case through when negotiations are not fair. When you work with Marc LaHood Law, you have a team that will stand beside you from the first call until your case is resolved.

Jones Act FAQ

How do I know if I'm Covered by the Jones Act?

The Jones Act may apply if you spend a significant part of your work as a crew member assigned to a vessel in navigation. Every situation is different. We can review your work duties, the amount of time you spend on the vessel, and how the injury happened. Then, we can explain whether you are covered under the Jones Act or if another avenue may be more appropriate.

How Much Does a Jones Act Attorney Cost?

Our San Antonio Jones Act attorney handles these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don't pay any upfront or out-of-pocket expenses. Instead, we only collect legal fees if we win your case. Once we've obtained a settlement or verdict on your behalf, our fees are paid with a percentage of this recovery. We can explain our fee structure in more detail during a completely free, zero-obligation consultation.

My Employer Is Asking for a Statement. Should I Give One?

While you do usually need to report your injury to your employer, you do NOT have to give detailed recorded statements or sign broad forms before speaking with a lawyer. In fact, it's in your best interests to talk to an attorney first, as giving a statement now could hurt your claim later. Our Jones Act attorney in San Antonio can review employer requests for statements, help you avoid harmful language, and communicate with insurers for you.

How long do Jones Act cases usually take?

The amount of time it takes to resolve a Jones Act case depends on factors like the severity of your injuries, how quickly you reach maximum medical improvement, and how willing your employer or their insurance company is to negotiate. We can discuss likely timelines after reviewing your situation and keep you updated as your case moves forward.

Talk to Our Team Today About Your Jones Act Case

At Marc LaHood Law, we are proud to bring decades of experience in San Antonio courts, a trial-ready approach to every injury case, and a commitment to treating clients like family to our practice. Led by Attorney Marc LaHood, we focus on providing honest guidance, thorough preparation, and standing up to maritime employers and insurers when your future is at stake.

If you were injured while working on a vessel or offshore job and believe negligence played a role, you do not have to face the aftermath on your own. A Jones Act attorney at Marc LaHood Law can review your situation, explain your rights, and help you decide how to move forward.

We offer free, confidential consultations and handle injury cases on a contingency fee basis, so there is no upfront cost to talk with us. You can meet with us here in San Antonio while you focus on healing and rebuilding your life.

Call (210) 714-2625 to speak with our team today.