Houma wrecks happen on US-90, where oilfield service vehicles and supply trucks bound for Port Fourchon share the road with commuters, and on LA-24 where it runs through the center of town as Main Street and Prospect Boulevard. Injuries also come off the water and out of the offshore energy work that keeps Houma running, on supply vessels, on platforms, and in the yards that serve them. The people hurt are taken to Terrebonne General Medical Center on Main Street. The Houma Police Department on Honduras Street writes the report for a crash inside the city, and Terrebonne Parish suits are filed in the 32nd Judicial District Court at the parish courthouse, also on Main Street. In the first week Trey Morris Injury Lawyers orders the report, requests the Terrebonne General records, and sends every insurer and employer involved written notice to preserve the dispatch records, vessel logs, and video before they are overwritten.
The law that governs the claim is Louisiana law and it is the same in every parish, with one exception that matters in Houma: maritime law can change which rules apply to yours. If you were hurt in Houma, your case is filed in the 32nd Judicial District Court in Terrebonne Parish, and for injuries on or after July 1, 2024 you have two years to file under La. C.C. Art. 3493.1. Before we value an offshore or vessel injury, we sort out whether maritime law governs it, because that answer changes the rules the claim runs under.
Results for Louisiana Clients
- $409 MillionWrongful Death
A tragic case where an impaired driver of a commercial vehicle ran a red light, then collided with our client, causing serious bodily injury to the mother and the loss of life of her daughter.
- $49 MillionMotor Vehicle Accident
An impaired driver of a stolen vehicle driving the wrong way collided with our client head-on, resulting in brain injury and multiple broken bones.
- $32.2 MillionIndustrial / Workplace
Failure to maintain proper safety protocols led to an explosion at an industrial plant causing a series of catastrophic injuries from broken bones, burns, spinal injury, and mental anguish.
- $31.5 MillionIndustrial / Workplace
Brain and spinal injuries followed an oil-field company failing to maintain equipment and provide a safe work site.
- $17.2 MillionCommercial Vehicle Accident
Client was struck head-on by a disconnected load of an 18-wheeler that crossed the median causing broken bones and amputation.
- $13 MillionCommercial Vehicle Accident
On the interstate, an 18-wheeler failed to yield right of way then made an unsafe lane change causing the accident which resulted in major bone breaks, damaged organs, and ultimately a leg amputation.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes; each case is decided on its own facts.
Houma is an offshore energy town. The workers here build platforms, crew supply vessels, and maintain the infrastructure that keeps Gulf of Mexico operations running. When those workers get hurt, the legal questions are different from a standard car accident case. Maritime law, federal jurisdiction, and overlapping compensation systems create layers that most personal injury attorneys never encounter.
No one reads lawyer websites until they need one. This page explains how injury claims work in Houma and Terrebonne Parish. It covers the 2024 and 2025 Louisiana law changes and how maritime and offshore cases differ from everything else. Trey Morris Injury Lawyers has handled personal injury and maritime injury cases across Louisiana for 25 years. Read this page. Compare us to other firms. Make the decision that is right for your situation.
US-90 and LA-24 Corridor Crash Patterns in Terrebonne Parish
US-90 is the primary east-west highway through Houma. It connects Morgan City to the west with the New Orleans metro area to the east. LA-24, known locally as Main Street and Prospect Boulevard, runs north-south through central Houma. These two corridors handle the bulk of Terrebonne Parish’s daily traffic volume.
The commercial traffic on US-90 is heavier than most Louisiana highways outside the interstates. Oilfield service vehicles, equipment haulers, and supply trucks heading to Port Fourchon use US-90 as their main route. LA-315 through Bayou Blue and LA-182 carry additional industrial and residential traffic. The mix of commercial rigs and passenger vehicles on two-lane sections creates collision patterns that are specific to energy corridor communities.
Terrebonne Parish recorded 776 injury-causing motor vehicle crashes in 2023. Those crashes injured 1,210 people. Twelve fatal collisions killed 15 people. Alcohol-related crashes caused 44 injuries and 5 deaths that same year. The leading causes were inattentive driving with 277 crashes, failure to yield with 130, and following too closely with 75.
Truck accidents are a particular concern on US-90. Terrebonne Parish had 33 serious large truck crashes in 2023. Six percent of those serious large truck crashes were fatal, compared to 1.5% across all vehicle types. The size and weight difference between an oilfield service truck and a passenger vehicle makes every car accident involving commercial equipment more severe. Ask any attorney you are considering whether they have handled truck accident cases involving oilfield service vehicles. The evidence requirements and liable parties differ from standard vehicle collisions.
Local Office. Statewide Record.
- $1 Billion+
Recovered for Louisiana clients
Verdicts and settlements won across the state by the same trial team that handles Houma cases.
- 11
Trial attorneys, one team
Your case is handled by the firm's own trial attorneys, and we respond in minutes, 24/7.
- 24/7
We come to you
Hospital, home, or our Covington office at 661 River Highland Blvd. Free case review, and no fee unless we win.
- 122
Cases resolved over $1 million
Verdicts and settlements of $1 million or more, won by the same trial team that handles Houma cases.
Offshore and Maritime Injury Claims in the Houma Area
Houma is one of Louisiana’s primary hubs for offshore oil and gas operations. Edison Chouest Offshore, Bollinger Shipyards, and Danos are among the major employers in the area. Thousands of workers commute from Houma to Gulf of Mexico platforms, supply vessels, and drilling rigs. When these workers are injured offshore, the legal framework is fundamentally different from a land-based injury claim.
Jones Act Claims
Jones Act
A federal statute (46 U.S.C. 30104) that gives seamen the right to sue their employers for negligence. It applies to workers who spend a significant portion of their work time on vessels in navigation. Jones Act claims allow recovery for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future earning capacity.
maintenance and cure
A maritime remedy requiring the vessel owner to pay an injured seaman’s daily living expenses (maintenance) and medical treatment costs (cure) until the seaman reaches maximum medical improvement. This obligation exists regardless of fault.
The Jones Act covers injured seamen. If you qualify as a seaman under federal law, you can bring a negligence claim against your employer. You can also claim maintenance and cure. This remedy requires the vessel owner to pay your living expenses and medical costs until you reach maximum medical improvement. A separate unseaworthiness claim holds the vessel owner responsible if the vessel or its equipment was not reasonably fit for its intended purpose.
These are three distinct legal theories. A competent maritime injury attorney will evaluate which ones apply to your situation. Ask any attorney you are considering to explain the difference between a Jones Act negligence claim and an unseaworthiness claim. If they cannot distinguish these theories clearly, they do not handle maritime cases regularly.
LHWCA and OCSLA Coverage
LHWCA
Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. A federal workers’ compensation program covering dock workers, ship repairers, and maritime construction workers who are not seamen. It provides medical benefits and disability compensation but limits the right to sue the employer directly.
The LHWCA covers dock workers, ship repairers, and maritime construction workers who do not qualify as seamen. It provides medical benefits and disability compensation without requiring proof of employer negligence. However, it limits your right to sue your employer directly. Third-party claims against equipment manufacturers or other contractors remain available.
OCSLA
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. A federal law that extends the jurisdiction of adjacent state law to workers on fixed platforms on the Outer Continental Shelf. It determines which state’s workers’ compensation and tort law applies to injuries on offshore platforms.
The OCSLA extends legal coverage to workers on fixed platforms on the Outer Continental Shelf. This law determines which state’s workers’ compensation and tort rules apply to your injury. For workers leaving from Houma, Louisiana law typically applies, but the analysis depends on the platform’s location and the worker’s employment relationship.
Port Fourchon is the primary service port for deepwater Gulf operations. Houma-based workers supply this corridor daily. The commute from Houma to Port Fourchon and then offshore creates multiple points where injuries can occur, each potentially governed by a different legal framework. Trey Morris Injury Lawyers has handled offshore injury claims involving platform injuries, vessel accidents, and dock-side incidents throughout the Gulf region.
Evidence Preservation in Maritime Cases
Maritime employers and vessel operators have legal obligations to maintain safety records, vessel logs, and crew manifests. After an injury, this evidence can disappear. Vessel logs get overwritten. Safety inspection records get archived on schedules that favor the company. Crew manifests and work schedules document conditions at the time of your injury.
Your attorney needs to send preservation demands immediately. Trey Morris Injury Lawyers sends preservation letters within 24 hours of engagement. These demands lock down vessel logs, black box data, safety records, and crew documentation before anyone can alter or destroy them.
Houma Practice Areas
Car AccidentsRear-end, intersection, and highway collisions across Louisiana.
Truck Accidents18-wheeler and commercial-vehicle wrecks governed by federal trucking rules.
Catastrophic InjuryBrain, spinal-cord, amputation, and severe-burn injuries that change a life.
Wrongful DeathClaims brought by families after a fatal accident or act of negligence.
Premises LiabilitySlip-and-fall and unsafe-property injuries on someone else's premises.
Product LiabilityInjuries caused by defective or unreasonably dangerous products.
Oilfield AccidentsDrilling, pipeline, and refinery injuries across the energy sector.
Industrial AccidentsPlant, warehouse, and heavy-equipment injuries in industrial settings.
Offshore AccidentsRig, platform, and vessel injuries beyond the shoreline.
Industrial and Oilfield Accidents in Terrebonne Parish
Terrebonne Parish has one of the highest concentrations of shipyards, fabrication yards, and marine service facilities in Louisiana. About one-fifth of Louisiana’s workforce is employed in occupations that carry high risks of workplace fatalities. In Terrebonne Parish, that proportion is higher because of the offshore energy sector’s dominance.
Bollinger Shipyards operates major facilities in the Houma area. Oilfield service companies maintain staging yards and equipment depots throughout the parish. The work performed at these facilities involves heavy lifting, welding, chemical handling, and equipment operation in conditions that create serious injury risks.
Common industrial injuries in Terrebonne Parish include falls from scaffolding and elevated platforms, crush injuries from heavy equipment, chemical burns and toxic exposure, equipment malfunctions, and electrocutions. Each of these injury types creates a distinct legal case with specific evidence requirements and potentially different liable parties.
Workers’ Compensation Versus Third-Party Claims
Louisiana workers’ compensation covers medical expenses and a portion of lost wages when you are injured on the job. It does not require you to prove your employer was negligent. But it also limits your recovery. You cannot sue your employer directly for a workplace injury in most situations.
Third-party liability claims are different. If someone other than your employer caused your injury, you can file a negligence claim against that third party. In Terrebonne Parish industrial settings, third parties often include equipment manufacturers, subcontractors, property owners, and companies that provided defective materials or tools. These claims are separate from workers’ compensation and can recover damages that comp does not cover, including pain and suffering.
Ask any attorney you are considering whether they pursue third-party claims alongside workers’ compensation. Many workers’ compensation attorneys do not litigate negligence claims. Many personal injury attorneys do not understand the interaction between comp benefits and tort damages. You need someone who handles both. Trey Morris Injury Lawyers evaluates every industrial injury case for both workers’ compensation benefits and third-party liability from the start.
OSHA Standards and Employer Obligations
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration sets workplace safety standards that apply to Terrebonne Parish industrial facilities. Employers must provide safety training, maintain equipment, and follow industry-specific regulations for hazards like confined spaces, fall protection, and chemical handling. When an employer violates OSHA standards and a worker is injured, that violation is evidence of negligence.
OSHA inspection records and citation history are public information. Your attorney can obtain the safety record of any oilfield or industrial facility in Terrebonne Parish. A history of violations for the same hazard that caused your injury strengthens your case. Trey Morris Injury Lawyers reviews OSHA records as part of the initial case investigation for every industrial injury claim.
Types of Injury Cases in Houma and Terrebonne Parish
Beyond maritime, offshore, and industrial claims, Terrebonne Parish generates the full range of personal injury cases. The types of claims that arise here reflect the area’s geography, infrastructure, and daily traffic patterns.
Motorcycle crashes are a recurring problem. Terrebonne Parish recorded 23 serious motorcycle crashes in 2023 with one fatality. The parish’s warm climate means motorcycles share the road year-round. Helmet use is a factor in every motorcycle case because Louisiana law requires helmets and defense attorneys use helmet compliance to argue comparative fault.
Pedestrian accidents account for a disproportionate share of fatalities. Five of 15 traffic deaths in Terrebonne Parish involved pedestrians. A 2019 report identified the Houma-Thibodaux metro area as the second most dangerous in Louisiana for walkers. The lack of sidewalks and pedestrian infrastructure on major corridors contributes to this problem.
Bicycle crashes numbered 20 in Terrebonne Parish in 2023. Boat accidents occur on Bayou Petit Caillou, Lake Gero, Lake Quitman, and Gulf waters. Premises liability claims arise from slip-and-fall injuries, inadequate security, and dog bites at commercial and residential properties. Product liability cases involve defective vehicles, equipment, and consumer goods with design defects, manufacturing defects, or inadequate warnings.
Survival Action
A claim under La. C.C. Art. 2315.1 that recovers damages for the victim’s own pain and suffering between the moment of injury and the moment of death. It is separate from the claim brought under La. C.C. Art. 2315.2 and can be filed alongside it.
When an injury results in death, Louisiana allows surviving family members to bring a claim under La. C.C. Art. 2315.2. A separate survival action under La. C.C. Art. 2315.1 recovers damages for the victim’s own suffering before death. These are two distinct claims with different beneficiary rules.
How Louisiana Tort Reform Changes Affect Terrebonne Parish Injury Cases
Louisiana passed significant tort reform legislation in 2024 and 2025. These changes directly affect how personal injury cases are valued, filed, and argued in the 32nd Judicial District Court. If you were injured in Houma or anywhere in Terrebonne Parish, you need to understand what changed.
The Two-Year Filing Deadline
Prescriptive Period
Louisiana’s term for statute of limitations. The legal deadline to file a lawsuit. For personal injury, it is two years from the date of injury under La. C.C. Art. 3493.1 (effective July 1, 2024).
The Prescriptive Period for personal injury claims dropped from three years to two years. This change took effect on July 1, 2024, under La. C.C. Art. 3493.1. If you were injured after that date, you have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. Miss that deadline and your claim is extinguished. No exceptions apply.
Your attorney should know this deadline without hesitation. If someone tells you that you have three years to file, they are working from outdated law. That is not the attorney for your case.
The 51% Comparative Fault Bar
Comparative Fault
A legal rule that reduces your recovery by your percentage of fault. In Louisiana, if you are 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing. If you are 50% or less at fault, your damages are reduced proportionally.
Louisiana’s comparative fault rules changed for causes of action arising on or after January 1, 2026, under La. C.C. Art. 2323 as amended by Act 15 of the 2025 Regular Session (HB 431). If you are found 51% or more at fault for your accident, you recover nothing. This is a hard cutoff. At 50% or less, your damages are reduced by your share of fault. Accidents before January 1, 2026 are governed by the prior fault rules, which reduced recovery by your share but did not cut it off at any percentage.
Insurance adjusters build their defense strategy around pushing your fault percentage above 50%. Every statement you make after an accident, every social media post, every gap in medical treatment becomes ammunition for this argument. Ask any attorney you are considering how they handle comparative fault disputes. Trey Morris Injury Lawyers works with accident reconstructionists to establish fault percentages before the insurance company builds its narrative.
Collateral Source Rule Changes
The collateral source rule determines whether the jury hears about insurance payments or other benefits you received. Louisiana’s tort reform modified this rule to allow evidence of collateral source payments in certain circumstances. This can reduce the damages a jury awards. Your attorney needs a strategy for addressing collateral source arguments at trial.
Direct Action Statute
Louisiana’s direct action statute under La. R.S. 22:1295 still allows you to sue the at-fault party’s insurance company directly. Most states do not allow this. It means the insurance company is a named defendant in your lawsuit. This changes settlement dynamics and trial strategy. It remains one of the most significant advantages of filing an injury claim in Louisiana.
Note that maritime claims filed in federal court operate under different procedural rules. The direct action statute applies to state law claims, but admiralty cases have their own jurisdictional framework. Your attorney should be able to explain which rules govern your specific claim.
Where Do You File a Houma Injury Claim?
The 32nd Judicial District Court serves Terrebonne Parish exclusively. The courthouse is located at 7856 Main Street in Houma. If you were injured in Terrebonne Parish, this is where your state court case will be filed.
Venue rules in Louisiana generally require filing where the accident occurred or where the defendant is domiciled. For motor vehicle accidents and premises liability cases in Houma, the 32nd JDC is the appropriate venue. If the defendant is an out-of-state corporation, federal court may have jurisdiction under diversity rules when the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000.
Maritime injury claims create a different jurisdictional question. Jones Act cases can be filed in state or federal court. LHWCA claims go through the Department of Labor. Unseaworthiness claims are admiralty matters that typically proceed in federal court. The choice of forum affects which procedural rules apply and can influence the outcome. Ask your attorney which court is best for your specific claim and why.
The litigation process in the 32nd JDC follows a standard timeline. After filing a petition, the discovery phase allows both sides to gather evidence through depositions, interrogatories, and document requests. Discovery typically takes 6 to 12 months depending on case complexity. Mediation is often required before trial. If mediation does not produce a settlement, the case proceeds to a jury trial. Trey Morris Injury Lawyers has handled cases in the 32nd JDC and understands the local scheduling preferences and procedural expectations of this court.
What Compensation Does Louisiana Law Allow After a Houma Injury?
Louisiana divides personal injury damages into categories. Understanding these categories helps you evaluate whether a settlement offer is fair or whether it undervalues your claim.
Economic Damages
Loss of Earning Capacity
The difference between what you could have earned over your working lifetime and what you can earn now after the injury. Calculated by a vocational expert and converted to present value by an economist.
Economic damages cover measurable financial losses. Medical expenses include emergency room treatment, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, prescription medications, and future medical care. Lost wages cover income you missed while recovering. If your injuries permanently reduce your earning capacity, a vocational economist calculates the Loss of Earning Capacity. Property damage covers vehicle repair or replacement costs.
Non-Economic Damages
Loss of Consortium
A legal claim available to a spouse for the loss of companionship, affection, and support caused by the injured person’s condition. It is a separate damage category from the injured person’s own claims.
Non-economic damages compensate for losses that do not have a receipt. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and Loss of Consortium are the primary categories. Loss of enjoyment of life covers activities you can no longer do because of your injuries. These damages are subjective, which means the insurance company will argue they should be low. Your attorney’s ability to document and present these losses determines their value.
Maritime-Specific Damages
MMI
Maximum Medical Improvement. The point at which your treating physician determines your condition has stabilized and further treatment will not significantly change the outcome.
Maritime cases have additional damage categories. Under the Jones Act, injured seamen can recover maintenance and cure regardless of who caused the injury. Maintenance covers daily living expenses while you are unable to work. Cure covers all medical expenses until you reach MMI. If the vessel owner unreasonably denies or delays maintenance and cure, courts can award punitive damages for that denial.
Unseaworthiness claims allow recovery for the full range of compensatory damages. The standard is lower than negligence. You do not need to prove the vessel owner knew about the unsafe condition. You only need to prove the vessel or its equipment was not reasonably fit for its intended purpose.
Future Damages and Life Care Plans
Serious injuries require long-term medical care. A life care plan, prepared by a medical professional, outlines all future treatment you will need and its cost. An economist converts those future costs to present value. These calculations are technical and require expert testimony. Ask any attorney you are considering whether they work with life care planners and economists. If they do not, they may leave significant value on the table.
What Our Clients Say
- Pamela Hughes
The team here (Brian, Seth, Chelsea, and Jessica) have been amazing.We were new to the area and hit by an impaired driver. Their support, guidance and friendship got us through a very difficult time. Thank you so much!
- eli
Working with Trey Morris and his team on my case was incredibly easy.They kept me informed throughout the entire process and took care of everything for me. It was such a blessing not having to deal with the insurance companies myself. They were efficient, professional, and truly made the whole experience stress-free. I would highly recommend Trey Morris and his team to anyone needing an exceptional personal injury team.
- Sarah Starling
First time being injured and needing a lawyer they where very helpful.They answered my questions Id have very well. Highly recommend them.
- Kimberly Capers
Attorney Shavers & Sarah were awesome!They made me feel important & as if I was their only client! A big thank you to the entire business.
- Clay Meyer
Mrs.Liz and Lizzie took care of my wife very well. They helped her through a difficult time and her wreck and they continue to help her as she continues to deal with her injuries. We could have asked for better staff members to help my wife. I recommend this firm and these staff members 100%. They really seem to enjoy their work and it shows in how they take care of and treat their clients.
- Janice Ladner
My experience with Morris and Dewett was very much what I needed at the time and everyone was very professional.
- jillian caminita
So great!Highly recommend!!! Andrew was extremely helpful in my time of need can’t recommend him enough!!!
- Starteia Porter
Jaime Carter is the best you can ever ask for!Great personality, always kind, always willing to help. She will go above and beyond for you for sure.
- Dylan Rachinskas
The best place you can ask for they shoot it straight to you and are very respectful.I would highly recommend them they let you know everything going on with your case provided updates. If I ever get hurt again I'm coming back
- Tonia Taylor
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the professionalism, care and support that Atty Brian Trainor, Atty Elizabeth Hancock and their staff provided me regarding my case and I highly recommend them.Thank you all again. Sincerely,
- Beth Reedy
Chelsea was great and easy to work with and always communicated with us about everything and was very professional and went out of her way to make sure we got every penny and kept us informed
- Eric Wyler
Everyone at the Covington Office were Professional, Informative, and Engaging.The entire team went above and beyond; they exceeded all of my expectations. And a special Thank You to Chelsea. She made us feel right at home; like we were members of the family. A warm and beautiful personalty.
Your Houma Trial Team
The lawyers who work your file. Every Houma case is handled by the firm's own trial attorneys.
Trey Morris Injury Lawyers in the Houma and Terrebonne Parish Community
Trey Morris Injury Lawyers has handled personal injury cases across Louisiana for 25 years, with more than 5,000 cases completed. The firm holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer review rating available. Multiple attorneys at the firm have been recognized by Super Lawyers. The firm has accumulated more than 2,753 five-star Google reviews from clients across Louisiana.
Maritime, offshore, and industrial injury cases require specific experience. The legal theories, federal statutes, and procedural frameworks are different from standard personal injury litigation. Trey Morris Injury Lawyers handles Jones Act claims, LHWCA cases, and state-law industrial injury claims for workers throughout the Gulf Coast region, including Terrebonne Parish.
Local knowledge matters. Understanding Houma’s road network, knowing which corridors generate the most serious truck and vehicle crashes, and having experience in the 32nd Judicial District Court all affect case outcomes. The firm has handled cases involving US-90 truck collisions, Terrebonne Parish industrial facility injuries, and offshore worker claims originating from Houma.
Contingency Fee
A fee arrangement where the attorney is paid a percentage of the recovery and only if there is a recovery. The client pays nothing upfront and owes no attorney fees if the case is unsuccessful.
The firm operates on a Contingency Fee basis. You pay nothing unless the firm recovers compensation for you. There is no upfront cost and no hourly billing. View our case results and client reviews to evaluate our track record. Reach out when you are ready.