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Injured on the Job, Road or Water?
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Learn more about David
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Meet David E. James

David focuses his practice on maritime, industrial, and commercial motor vehicle cases, as well as serious motorcycle injury claims.

Over the past two decades, he has been involved in some of the largest maritime incidents in the United States. He has substantial experience handling maritime injury cases involving seafarers, longshore workers, and recreational boating accidents. David is well versed in the Shipowners Limitation of Liability Act, an antiquated statute often used by vessel owners to avoid jury trials and limit accountability. He has been retained by other lawyers to help injury victims navigate and overcome these issues. His experience is grounded in firsthand industry knowledge, having previously worked both offshore and shoreside for a vessel owner and operator.

David also has extensive experience in commercial motor vehicle litigation. He has secured numerous significant settlements on behalf of individuals injured by trucking company negligence. His work in this area includes cases involving complex logistics operations, where responsibility may extend beyond the motor carrier to brokers, shippers, and intermodal equipment providers.

As an active motorcycle rider and racer, David understands the unique risks faced by motorcyclists. He represents riders who have been injured due to the negligence of others and brings practical insight into how these collisions occur.

A native of Southeast Texas, David is familiar with the hazards of petrochemical and industrial work. Before practicing law, he worked in plant construction with Brown and Root and later as both a vessel based and shore based tankerman at petrochemical facilities.

David graduated from the Texas A&M Maritime Academy in Galveston in 1994 and from Louisiana State University Law Center in 2001. He is licensed to practice in Texas and Louisiana and has handled high profile matters in multiple jurisdictions.

He represents clients throughout Houston, Beaumont, and the Golden Triangle, as well as Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana, and accepts cases across Texas and Louisiana.

Practice Area Pages

  • Maritime Personal Injury

    Seafarers, longshore, shipyard and harbor workers, boaters, and others injured on the water

  • Industrial Injuries

    Workers injured at petrochemical facilities and industrial sites

  • Commercial Motor Vehicle Wrecks

    People injured in wrecks with commercial motor vehicles and 18 wheelers

  • Motorcycle Wrecks

    Motorcycle riders injured in crashes involving other motor vehicles

Why Clients Choose David

Clear Guidance When It Matters Most

Real experience working on boats and ships

Real World, Hands-On Experience

Before working in the courtroom, David worked on vessels and in petrochemical plants.

24+ years focused on maritime injury law

Experienced.

David has been practicing law since 2001 and is experienced in a diverse array of cases for a numerous different type of clients.

Understands dangerous work environments

Understands Your World

David has been there too, whether it be working in on a vessel, in a plant or riding a bike around drivers who always seem to miss the presence of a motorcycle.

Takes cases seriously from day oneTakes cases seriously from day one

Works Hard on Your Case

David learned the value of hard work from his working experience prior to practicing law.  He applies those same principles to your case from day one.

Nationwide Ability, Locally Focused

David has worked on cases across the country, but focuses his practice in the following areas:
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Beaumont, TX

Where Oil Was First Discovered in Texas and Home to Some of the Largest Petrochemical Plants in the World

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Seek medical attention immediately. Your health comes first, and prompt treatment creates an accurate record of your injuries.
  • Report the incident and your injuries as required. This may include notifying your employer, law enforcement, or other appropriate authorities.
  • Preserve evidence. Take photos or video of the scene, vehicles, equipment, and any visible injuries. Preserve damage to your vehicle, vessel, or other property. Identify witnesses and secure dash camera footage if available.
  • Limit your communications. Do not discuss the incident with the other party or their representatives beyond what is necessary for safety or required reporting. Avoid giving detailed statements about fault or the extent of your injuries.
  • Cooperate with authorities, but understand that statements may be recorded and used later. Provide accurate information without speculation.
  • Consult an attorney as soon as possible. Early involvement helps preserve critical evidence and protect your rights. Insurance companies often begin evaluating and defending claims immediately.
  • Keep a record of your recovery. Maintain a diary of how your injuries affect your daily life and track expenses and other impacts.  
  • Be wary of attempts by companies and their insurance companies to invade your privacy through surveillance immediately after you are injured.

Admiralty and maritime law is a specialized body of law governing navigation, shipping, and commerce on navigable waters. It includes specific rules and remedies that apply to maritime personal injury claims, which often differ significantly from land based cases.

An industrial injury is an injury that occurs in a heavy industrial or commercial setting. These incidents commonly arise at refineries, petrochemical plants, tank farms, terminals, power plants, manufacturing facilities, warehouses, steel mills, distribution centers, intermodal facilities, truck terminals, waste processing facilities, water treatment plants, mines, construction sites, paper mills, drilling rigs, agricultural facilities, shipyards, and fabrication facilities.

Not always. While these systems may govern claims against your employer, other responsible parties may not be protected from suit. In many cases, there are additional avenues of recovery beyond workers compensation or Longshore benefits.

Motorcycle riders often face bias based on misconceptions about motorcyclists. Defendants and insurers frequently try to shift blame onto the rider, even when the rider did nothing wrong. These cases require a lawyer who understands both the dynamics of motorcycle collisions and how to address that bias.

These cases often involve both state law and federal regulations. In addition, multiple parties may be involved in the transportation of goods, including motor carriers, brokers, shippers, equipment providers, and contractors. Identifying responsibility requires a detailed understanding of these relationships.

Immediately. Critical evidence can be lost within hours or days. In some cases, it is necessary to send preservation notices or seek court intervention to prevent alteration of the scene or destruction of evidence. Early action can materially affect the outcome of a case.