Texas is home to a thriving commercial boating industry. Our state's many inland and coastal waterways offer virtually limitless opportunities for businesses, tourists and residents alike.
Sadly, however, thousands of people are killed each year in boating and water-related accidents, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Any number of factors can contribute to these accidents, including:
- Alcohol use
- Reckless operation
- Inattention
- Inexperience
- Mechanical problems
- Defective equipment
- Lack of a lookout
After a devastating accident, the legal team at The Bratton Firm, P.C. can help you get to the bottom of what happened. We represent maritime workers, seamen, dock workers, passengers and others injured in commercial boating accidents involving:
- Charter fishing boats
- Commercial fishing vessels
- Charter yachts
- Commercial riverboats
- Offshore oil rigs
- Barges
- Any other type of commercial watercraft
Experience In The Courts And On The Water
Our lawyer brings an ideal background to these cases. With more than 30 years of legal experience, attorney R. Louis Bratton is not only a board-certified specialist in personal injury trial law,* but also a licensed captain through the U.S. Coast Guard School. He has clocked more than 1,000 hours as a captain. As a result, he understands the complexities of boating accidents.
Depending on the nature of the accident, different laws may apply. We are well-versed in the state and federal laws that may impact these cases, including international maritime and admiralty laws such as:
- The Jones Act, which provides compensation for seamen injured on the job as a result of negligence
- The Death On The High Seas Act, which provides compensation for surviving spouses of ocean workers killed on the job
- The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, which provides compensation for certain maritime workers who are injured on navigable waters
For more information, call our office in Austin at 512-477-8772. Your initial consultation is free. Se habla español.
