Maritime Law and the Gulf Coast
Offshore Injury Attorney
The Gulf Coast region of the United States contains over 600 miles of coastline and runs along five southern states including Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida and Mississippi. The area is rich with natural resources, including oil and gas, and is the nation's top producer of the domestic supply of oil and petroleum products. In addition, the area is home to two of the largest shipping ports in the world: the Port of South Louisiana and the Port of Houston.
Understanding maritime law as it pertains to the Gulf Coast is a crucial matter for any
offshore injury attorney. At Arnold & Itkin LLP, we recognize the important role we play for maritime workers throughout the Gulf Coast. Our team fights to protect these workers' rights in any and all injury-related matters, and we have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients in handling their claims. If you would like to learn more about these important matters, we welcome you to review the information on this site or to call our offices at (888) 346-5024 for a free consultation.
Offshore Accidents & Injuries in the Gulf Coast Area
The Gulf Coast is abundant with offshore and maritime jobs. Known as the heart of the U.S. petrochemical industry, the Gulf Coast region contains nearly 4,000 oil rigs. Some of the largest oil refineries in the United States are based in Gulf Coast cities. The top four U.S. oil refineries are:
- ExxonMobil Refining & Supply Co, Baytown, TX
- ExxonMobil Refining & Supply Co, Baton Rouge, LA
- BP Products North America Inc, Texas City, TX
- Citgo Petroleum Corp, Lake Charles, LA
In addition to oil production and shipping, commercial fishing is also a big industry in the Gulf Coast states with Biloxi and Gulf Port, MS, and Mobile, AL, operating large fishing fleets. In 2005, Mississippi alone had a fleet of over 1,000 fishing vessels, although Hurricane Katrina has had a lasting and detrimental impact on the fishing industry.
Many of the largest cities along the Gulf of Mexico, including New Orleans, Houston, Mobile and Tampa, are the hub of their states and also large port cities. In these cities, and many others in the region, maritime companies employ a majority of the area's workforce.
Workers are needed to man oil rigs, shipyards, fishing vessels, barges, dredges, tug boats and all other maritime equipment. Maritime work is among the most rewarding and highest paid of all trades but it also includes some of the most difficult and dangerous jobs in the nation. The risk of injury and death is ever-present among marine-related workers on oil rigs, crew boats, commercial fishing vessels, tugs and tow boats. Maritime injuries may result from:
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is responsible for safety regulations designed to protect the safety of maritime employees. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with a safe working environment, and all workers are bound to follow safety guidelines. However, even with strict safety guidelines, offshore accidents still occur.
Maritime Lawyer Serving the Gulf Coast
If you have been injured while performing any of your maritime job duties, it is critical that you contact an experienced maritime lawyer immediately. Delaying your claim could adversely impact the financial compensation you are due. By protecting your rights as an offshore worker on the Gulf Coast, an attorney at our law firm can help you seek the benefits you need to rebuild and move on with your life.
Contact an offshore injury lawyer today for help with a claim involving an accident or injury on the Gulf Coast.
