Mark Freeman

Representative Experience

• Obtained dismissal ruling of a claimed defective design of a Coast Guard patrol vessel which was affirmed by the 5th Circuit in a case of first impression. The case was filed by the family of an undocumented alien who died when she was struck by a USCG vessel while trying to swim across the Brownsville Ship Channel to illegally enter the USA.
• Defended operator of foreign-flagged tankship that was involved in a collision with an inland unit tow resulting in one of the largest spills of crude oil in recent Texas history which generated the largest number of federal court pro se claimants (approximately 17,000) in a single, non-consolidated federal case.
• Defended US-flagged vessel owner operator in acute toxic exposure claim where the Fifth Circuit established the time of event rule for traumatic event/latent manifestation bodily injury.
• Defended inland marine transportation company in a claim by its charterer alleging breach of the charter over a multi-year period.
• Represented shipyards in personal injury, regulatory and commercial disputes.
• Defended offshore drilling contractor in wrongful death claim involving a motor vehicle accident that was eventually decided by the Texas Supreme Court.
• Defended tug and barge flotilla following collision with a pleasure craft resulting in the sinking of the pleasure boat with multiple loss of lives.
• Defended offshore drilling contractor in offshore fire and explosion event resulting in the death of a worker and burns to several others.
• Defended and prosecuted numerous foreign-flagged vessel interests in collisions or allisions with fixed structures.
• Successfully defended inland boat and barge owner/operator in industry-wide litigation involving classification of seamen and the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.