National Leader in Offshore Injury Law

Kurt Arnold, Caj Boatright, and Roland Christensen obtained a $193,000,000 settlement for two offshore workers injured by a pipeline explosion. One of the injured workers eventually succumbed to his injuries and sadly passed away. After being hired, Arnold & Itkin immediately mobilized—investigating the incident, collecting evidence, and taking numerous depositions of the key witnesses in the case. Our firm navigated the case through the unique aspects of maritime law. Our expertise in this area of the law ensured that it moved quickly toward trial, which the negligent companies wanted to avoid at all costs. Rather than face a jury verdict, the companies relented and paid a settlement that will take care of these families for generations to come. In addition to pushing the case toward trial, Arnold & Itkin also helped our clients get the best care and support after such a tragic event. It is truly our privilege to represent hard-working families like these when everything is on the line for them.

Kurt Arnold, Caj Boatright, and Roland Christensen obtained a $125,000,000 settlement for the widow of a dredge worker who had been severely burned in an offshore explosion. Arnold & Itkin spared no expense in aggressively collecting and evaluating the evidence. Our firm also quickly took the depositions of critical company witnesses to prepare the case for trial. We likewise helped our clients obtain excellent support after such a tragic event. The threat of a jury trial ultimately forced the defendants to pay a settlement that will take care of our client and her family from here forward. Arnold & Itkin takes immense pride in pursuing justice for its clients when circumstances are catastrophic.

Kurt Arnold, Caj Boatright, and Roland Christensen obtained a $68,000,000 settlement for a Texas offshore worker injured in a pipeline explosion. Arnold & Itkin ensured our client received impeccable care for his injuries and that his family was supported after the incident. At the same time, our firm began an aggressive investigation and pushed toward trial—collecting critical evidence and deposing every key witness in the case. The negligent defendants had no choice but to avoid trial and settle the case for an amount that changed our client’s and his family’s lives forever. Arnold & Itkin takes pride in being the preeminent maritime law firm in the United States and using that expertise to pursue justice for its clients when tragedy strikes.

Attorneys Kurt Arnold and Kyle Findley secured $40 million on behalf of three Jones Act seamen who suffered injuries during a vessel collision. As a result, the seamen were left unable to work and provide for their families. They looked to Arnold & Itkin for help. Using our maritime litigation skills, vast knowledge of the offshore industry, and numerous resources, we developed evidence to show the management failures that led to the vessel losing control—ultimately causing the collision.

After numerous depositions, we proved that the defendant’s management failures at the top level led to this tragic event. After proving the defendants were the sole cause, the defendants continued to minimize and deny the workers’ injuries. Our team continued to develop evidence proving that the clients’ injuries justified millions of dollars to ensure they received full and fair compensation. After several days of trial, our team secured a tremendous settlement on behalf of our clients, taking care of them for life.

Attorneys Kurt Arnold and Kyle Findley secured $31 million on behalf of a Jones Act seaman who suffered a head injury on the Mississippi river. At the outset of the case, the defendants denied all responsibility and attempted to limit their liability by placing blame on other entities. Our attorneys at Arnold & Itkin fought back on behalf of the seaman—refusing to accept the defendant’s excuses. By using our courtroom skills, vast knowledge of maritime law, and numerous resources, we were able to protect the rights of our client. Numerous depositions were taken, multiple (ultimately failed) mediations were held, and the defendants still refused to take full responsibility. As a result, our legal team took the case to a jury trial, where we fought to hold the company accountable. After a week of trial, we secured a tremendous result for our client.

Kurt Arnold, Jason Itkin, and Cory Itkin successfully secured a record settlement for a single family who tragically lost a loved one. It is the largest known settlement for a death that occurred offshore.

Our clients’ loved one was a worker whose employer was contracted by Talos ERT, LLC to remove sections of pipeline offshore. Talos was the owner and operator of the offshore rig where the work was taking place; they also planned and coordinated the project. They instructed the decedent and his coworkers to cut the aging pipeline into large sections and lower them via rope. There was ample evidence that there were safer ways to move the pipeline, but Talos proceeded with the use of rope regardless. By granting the use of the rope (as well as all other elements of the project plan), Talos was taking responsibility for what resulted.

Tragically, a large section of pipe broke loose during the project, striking our clients’ loved one and causing a grievous injury. He eventually succumbed to his injuries, robbing our clients of a husband and a father.

Arnold & Itkin took up the case, fighting for our clients to get everything they deserved. Talos, meanwhile, blamed the workers and their employer. They also refused to grant our clients any relief, instead offering a nuisance value settlement—a legal term which means the cost of hiring a lawyer. They wanted to leave this family with nothing. To counter, we argued vehemently that the entire project was Talos’ responsibility. The jury saw the truth, forcing Talos to pay our clients the largest wrongful death award in state history.

Kurt Arnold and Jason Itkin resolved a Jones Act seaman case for $14 million two days before trial. Arnold & Itkin LLP represented the seaman after he suffered a head injury on the Hercules 15 inland barge. The Hercules 15 was located in Lake Washington, Louisiana at the time of the incident. Hercules employees tack welded a three foot pipe to the derrick and then forgot to remove it before starting drilling operations. The pipe was jarred loose and hit Plaintiff in the head. The case was filed in Galveston County Court in March 2008. The case was set for trial February 2, 2009. Hercules settled the entire case for $14 million on the eve of trial.