Undefeated Maritime Injury Attorneys
Zehl & Associates is proud to announce that founder and trial attorney Ryan Zehl has been selected as the 2026 Maritime Attorney of the Year.
Presented by Texas Lawyer and Law.com, the Texas Legal Awards recognize influential attorneys, legal professionals, and organizations whose achievements exemplify excellence in the legal profession and have made an extraordinary impact on the clients they serve. Mr. Zehl will be honored at the awards ceremony on September 30 at the Arts District Mansion in Dallas.
This recognition reflects Ryan Zehl’s exceptional record representing injured offshore workers, seamen, and their families in some of the most complex maritime accidents, offshore oil rig explosions, and Jones Act cases in the country. Through relentless preparation, innovative trial strategy, and an unwavering commitment to maximizing recoveries for every client, he has secured some of the largest maritime verdicts and settlements in Texas history.
Recognized for Excellence in Maritime Injury Litigation
In addition to this honor, Mr. Zehl was recently named to Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Lawyers in Maritime, Admiralty & The High Seas for 2026, recognizing his national reputation as one of the country’s leading maritime trial attorneys.
As founder of Zehl & Associate, Mr. Zehl has built one of the nation’s premier catastrophic injury law firms, earning a reputation for taking on the largest corporations and insurance companies in the world and winning record-breaking results in high-stakes litigation.
His work frequently involves complex maritime and offshore injury cases, including accidents involving oil rigs, vessels, commercial maritime operations, and other offshore workplaces.
Record-Setting Results for Offshore Workers and Jones Act Seamen
In addition to securing the #1 Largest Maritime Settlement in Texas in 2025, Mr. Zehl’s record-setting maritime results include:
- $30M won for a Jones Act seaman who sustained a mild to moderate traumatic brain injury while working offshore
- $16M won for a floorhand injured in the moonpool on an offshore drillship in the Gulf of Mexico
- $9.1M won for an offshore worker who sustained a concussion and neck and back injuries while working on a jack-up rig
- $7.6M won for a Jones Act Seaman in Louisiana Federal Court
- $5.5M won for an offshore worker — 10X the initial offer — after one of the largest offshore drillers in the World tried to blame our client for his own injuries
A Commitment to Fighting for Injured Maritime Workers
“While we’re honored to receive this recognition, our greatest accomplishment has always been helping injured clients rebuild their lives after devastating accidents,” said Ryan Zehl. “Every case we handle represents someone whose future is on the line, and our mission remains the same: to fight for the maximum compensation they deserve and hold negligent companies fully accountable.”
Zehl & Associates congratulates Ryan on this well-deserved recognition and remains committed to delivering the exceptional advocacy and record-setting results that have earned the trust of clients throughout Texas and across the United States.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an offshore accident, the award-winning maritime attorneys at Zehl & Associates are ready to help. Call (888) 603-3636 today for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and options.