Maritime Injury Blog

Back and neck injuries are wild cards in company continuation plans

If you’re a mariner and your employer asks you to sign a waiver to keep you from suing them in exchange for a temporary raise, there’s something very important to keep in mind.

This Texas Law Could Alleviate the Fear of Being Fired for Filing a Maritime Claim

Injured maritime workers may be afraid that they will be fired if they file a claim against their maritime employer. V.T.C.A., Labor Code § 451.001 states that an employer may not retaliate against an employee for filing a workers compensation claim, which could apply in offshore cases.

Beware the sea lawyer

Even if his intentions are good, take what he says with a grain of salt. Many a seafarer has blindly rejected a fair company settlement because of a misguided attempt to chase after the illusion of early retirement riches only to end up with neither one.

Offshore workers need to be amateur investigators on the job

Because if you ever need to take legal action, having a detailed story will work greatly in your favor.

Legislative Committees Discuss Maritime Workplace Safety

Maritime workplace safety is the subject of two recent legislative committee hearings. Read this blog to learn more and order a free copy of our book, The Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case.

You can help fight to protect injured Texas workers

Just because the Texas high court stepped on injured workers’ rights to receive full justice three years ago does not mean the situation cannot be changed for the better.

The Entergy decision in a nutshell

On August 31, 2007, the Texas Supreme Court voted 6-3 in favor of protecting business and industry from employee injury lawsuits if the employee worked for a contractor on the premises.

Beware of TLR: Texans for Lawsuit Reform

Last Thursday, two Texas legislative committees heard testimony from consumer, labor and environmental advocates about what can be done to reverse the trend of corporation immunity in that state.

WARNING to Martime Workers - Insurers Will Go to Great Lengths to Limit Your Recovery

A maritime accident can result in a serious injury to a seaman. Many insurance companies will take steps to limit liability such as sending someone to the worker's hometown to examine medical records.

Does a Ship Remain On-Hire When Held by Pirates?

Piracy remains a serious problem for the maritime community. The English High Court ruled that a ship is considered on-hire during the time it is seized by pirates.

Injured offshore workers beware: companies try to dig up dirt on you

It’s a widespread trick for insurance companies to search through your medical history in order to turn you, the injured worker, into the villain.

Settlement of Lawsuit Against Transocean on Behalf of Injured Worker

Board Certified Maritime Attorney Brian Beckcom announces settlement of lawsuit against Transocean on behalf of worker injured on a Transocean offshore drilling rig

Seaman claims company’s lie responsible for his serious injuries

A Louisiana seafarer who fell while trying to remove a protector from a pipe is suing his employers, alleging they lied to him about the pipe’s condition.

Great Lakes seafarer electrocuted, second nearly killed

The Coast Guard has issued a safety alert following the electrocution of a crewmember aboard a Great Lakes vessel, and the near death of a second crewmember who went to assist.

Seafarer or Non-Seafarer - Article by Brian Beckcom

Who is a seafarer under maritime law? Read a short article by Maritime Attorney Brian Beckcom.

New Book Recalls Ill-Fated Fishing Trip That Clamed the Lives of 2 NFL Stars

Nick Schuyler, the lone survivor of a fishing boat accident, just released Not Without Hope, a book co-written by New York Times sportswriter Jere’ Longman, recalling the events of the fatal accident. If you or someone you know has been injured in a boating accident, you should contact an experienced maritime attorney at the Law Offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C. at (713) 224-7800 or (877) 724-7800.

Injury At Sea And How To Protect Yourself

Simple steps to protect your legal rights after an injury at sea.

Coast Guard boat operator fooled by Christmas lights in tour boat collision?

The Coast Guard issued a safety warning on December 21 reminding operators not to illuminate lighting not necessary for safe navigation of the vessel unless at the dock or as part of a parade.

Houston, Texas Cruise Ship Injury Lawyer: Celebrity Cruise passengers and crewmembers get sick

Houston, Texas-based Cruise Ship Injury Attorney reports on potential liability of Celebrity Cruise for the passengers and crewmembers who fell ill on the cruise ship yesterday.

Jones Act Injury Lawsuit Against Hercules Offshore

Board Certified Maritime Injury and Jones Act Lawyer Brian Beckcom files legal claim against Hercules Offshore on behalf of long term employee who was injured on the job twice

Maritime Injury Case Filed Against Frontier Drilling

Board Certified Maritime Injury Attorney Brian Beckcom files legal claim under Jones Act and Maritime Injury Law Against Frontier Drilling

Read Admiralty Article by Maritime Lawyer Brian Beckcom

If you were injured on land by the negligence of a vessel or boat in navigable waters, you have rights under the Admiralty Extension Act.

Kinder-Morgan Tugboat Sinks In Houston Ship Channel

A Kinder-Morgan tugboat sank last night in the Houston Ship Channel.  The JR Nichols sank sometime last night with five crew members aboard it.  The JR Nichols, a 56-foot tug boat, is thought to have sank near the Sims Bayou turning Basin. 
The Coast Guard sent a helicopter and two boats last night to search for the five crew members.  Four members of the crew have been rescued but the last crew member has not been found. 
At this time, it is thought that the tugboat got caught in the wake of a bigger ship causing the JR Nichols to overturn.  An investigation is currently being conducted. 

Tanker accident causes oil spill, endangers workers & wildlife

The collision between an oil tanker and a towing vessel has resulted in a crude oil spill, necessitating the closure of parts of a major Texas port.  The accident happened near Port Arthur, 90 miles east of Houston.  The maritime workers on these vessels were not injured in the collision, which was fortunate because otherwise their employer would likely have to pay for damages under the Jones Act.

 

An 800 foot tanker, the Eagle Atome, was making its way towards a Beaumont refinery for Exxon Mobile Corporation when it crashed into a towing vessel.  The vessel was pushing two barges when it was hit, and the force of the collision caused about 11,000 barrels (about 462,000 gallons) of crude oil to spill into the water.

 

About 45,800 feet of booms were deployed to and oil sucking skimmer boats sent out to protect an environmentally sensitive lake.  The lake, according to Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, used to have a protective gate that was lost when Hurricane Ike came ashore 18 months ago.  It had to be protected as it is considered a crucial breeding ground for wildlife.

 

An additional 69,000 barrels of oil that remained in the tanker were pumped out before they could also spill into the water.  According to the Coast Guard so far no sensitive wildlife areas have been adversely affected by the spill.

 

This oil spill was the largest in Texas in six years, however it was small compared to the massive oil spill caused by the Norwegian tanker Mega Borg.  In that spill 4.3 million gallons of oil were released 60 miles off of Galveston, causing a major environmental impact and requiring a massive clean up effort.

Port Arthur shipwreck: Board Certified Texas maritime lawyer reports on potential liability

Board Certified Houston boat accident attorney comments on the potential liability and lawsuits that could arise out of the recent Port Arthur ship collision.