Maritime Information
What Our Clients Say
- I want to thank my attorney and his secretary for the kindness I was treated with. I want to express my gratitude because they valued my rights without discriminating my race, color, or religion.
Maria G. - Dear Mr. Beckcom:
I never got a chance to say thank you for the wonderful job you did on my daughter's case. She will be graduating in June from High School with cum laude status. She will be attending college at U.T. Austin and majoring in Communications. Thanks to your efforts her college education has been taken care of. Thank you again from both of us.
J. Perez
Houston, Texas
- Mr. Beckcom fought diligently on my behalf against my former employer, without a retainer from me.....I was truly grateful to have Mr. Beckcom on my side and would recommend him to anyone without reservation."
A. Worley, Injured Cruise ship employee
New Mexico - I hired Brian Beckcom in 2009 for the injury case I had after I was hurt as a deckhand and within 11 months Brian had settled my case. He did such a fabulous job and I recommend using his firm for your maritime injury case.
J. McKeone, Deckhand
Livingston, Texas - Brian and his staff are courteous and professional, and they work diligently to make sure the client transitions through the process as easily and comfortably as possible.
Your sincere and satisfied client,
Steve T.
Houston, Texas - I was hurt on a boat offshore. Brian and his law firm worked hard on my case. The settlement he got for me will take care of my financial needs for the rest of my life. If you are looking for someone to take your interests at heart Brian and his law firm can give you the attention your case deserves.
Tim M.
Austin, Texas - I hired Brian after I was hurt on an offshore oil platform. I would recommend Brian and his law firm to anyone who needed a good injury lawyer, and especially any offshore worker. . ..
Jackie R
Houston, Texas - There are only a small number of attorneys who could handle such a complex case as mine, and Brian was at the top of the list. His response time is unsurpassed, replying within minutes to my initial enquiry. He has an instinctive understanding of the legal issues, and consummate people skills, an essential attribute in the negotiation phase of any litigation. Thanks to Brian the case was settled favorably within a year.
Steven S.,
Wales, U.K. - Brian, your book was a real eye-opener. If I had read your book sooner, I would have avoided a lot of costly mistakes.
Captain Jim Vickers - I was hurt on an offshore oil rig. I was unable to work or get proper medical care from the company. I was referred to Brian by another law firm because that firm knew Brian specialized in Jones Act cases. Brian settled my case in less than 12 months. The settlement will enable me to take care of my family financially for a long time. I would highly recommend Brian and his firm to any injured worker.
Freddy N.,
Lufkin, Texas
Disclaimer
We designed this website to provide information to consumers, injured people, and their families. Our goal is to level the playing field between consumers and insurance companies and expose the tricks, traps, and techniques they use to cheat injured people out of their legal rights. We also let consumers know about legal news, including verdicts and settlements and other interesting legal information.
But please understand that nothing on this website is meant to provide legal information about your specific case, create an attorney-client relationship, or imply that the results of your legal case will be the same as some other case.
Find Answers to Your Question By Searching Here
Maritime Injury Blog
The Houston law offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom, P.L.L.C. post blogs on maritime accidents and offshore injuries. If a maritime accident has left you injured or unable to work, contact a Jones Act lawyer from our law firm today. We represent people who have been injured at sea or offshore in the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean and throughout the Gulf Coast, Port of Houston and Galveston Bay.Jones Act
Read the latest article by Mr. Beckcom on whether to give a recorded statement after an offshore injury
Mr. Beckcom has published a short article on whether to give a recorded statement after you suffer an offshore on-the-job injury.Click on this link to read Mr. Beckcom's latest article.
King Fisher Marine dredge worker killed in Houston Ship Channel
The Houston Chronicle is reporting that an employee of King Fisher Marine Service LP was killed on March 3, 2009 when the crewmembers were moving a dredge in the Houston Ship Channel.
Although reports are preliminary, it appears that the dredge was being moved to a new job site when an accident with machinery aboard the dredge occurred. The investigation is ongoing.
The initial reports from the Harris County Sheriff's Office indicate that the worker was struck by a crane, although company officials deny there was a crane aboard the vessel.
The accident occurred near the San Jacinto Monument around 11 a.m.
Hopefully, the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration will investigate and determine the cause of this tragic accident. Hopefully, King Fisher Marine Service will cooperate fully in the investigation.
Maritime Work is Dangerous
These tragic stories are all too common. The offshore dredge injury needs to take serious steps to increase the safety standards and requirements for their workers. Dredge work is dangerous, difficult work. If the companies don't make employee and public safety their number one priority, it becomes even more dangerous.
Read These Articles Before You Hire An Attorney, Give a Recorded Statement, or Sign Any Forms
Do you want to get helpful information that is written for injured workers and their families, and not the company or insurance carrier? In addition to our websites, please take a moment to read the following articles:
1. How to hire the best lawyer for your Jones Act or offshore injury case
2. How much is my Jones Act, maritime injury, or offshore injury case worth?
3. What is the Jones Act?
4. How to wreck your Jones Act case
5. Financial Insecurity and Wrongful Termination - Two Fears After a Maritime Injury
6. What is a Longshoreman and What Are Their Legal Rights When Injured?
7. The difference between the Jones Act and the Longshore & Harbor Worker's Compensation Act
8. The Truth About Offshore Injury Claims.
9. What Should You Do If You Are Injured Offshore
10. What you should know if you were hurt offshore and your employer is giving you a hard time
11. Should I give my employer or the insurance company a "recorded statement?"
12. Do I need to hire a lawyer for my Jones Act or offshore injury claim?
13. What happens when you file a Jones Act lawsuit.
14. 6 Critical Things you must know if you are injured at sea
15. The Secrets Your Employer May Not Want You To Know If You Are Injured Offshore.
16. I was injured on a cruise ship - What are my legal rights?
To learn more about our law firm and what we can do for you, please visit the following websites:
http://www.vbattorneys.com/
www.maritimeaccidentattorney.com
http://www.houstoninjuryaccidentlaw.com/
About our law firm
Brian Beckcom handles Jones Act, maritime injury, and other offshore injury cases . If you want to find out more about our law firm and the types of cases we handle, please visit our Maritime Injury Law practice area page on our main website.
Or, you can send a message to Mr. Beckcom by using the Contact form on this website.
The Jones Act and Maritime Injuries explained
A common scenario in my office is for a client to walk to our first meeting, having been injured in some sort of offshore accident, and ask me to explain the "Jones Act". Or they ask me whether they have a "Jones Act" case.Or the client asks me about the Longshore & Harbor Worker's Compensation Act.
All of these questions are answered in my book, Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case." The book sells for $29.99 but I give it free to my firm's clients and prospective clients because I want them to have the information the book contains.
Here's a very brief discussion about the Jones Act and the Longshore Act:
The Jones Act
The Jones Act applies only to "seaman." To qualify as a "seaman," you must contribute the function of the vessel and be a member of her crew. You can read a short article about seaman status by clicking here.
The definition of "seaman" and "vessel" is a lot broader than most people probably realize. I've represented welders on jack-up drilling rigs, cooks on offshore platforms, roughnecks and roustabouts on semi-submersibles, drillers on oil rigs in the North Sea, boat captains, deckhands, and countless other workers.
In order to determine (in most cases) if you are a Jones Act seaman, you need an attorney with a lot of experience in Jones Act cases. Most lawyers will never handle a Jones Act case during their entire career.
The Longshore & Harbor Worker's Compensation Act
The Longshore Act covers "Longshoreman" and "Harbor Workers." In other words, workers who aren't seaman but may be worker near the water.
The classic example of the Longshoreman is a dockworker who loads and unloads ships. While they may work on the ship at times, and over the water, dockworkers aren't Jones Act seaman and can't bring Jones Act cases.
Conclusion
In most situations, you are better off from a purely legal standpoint if you can qualify as a Jones Act seaman. However, most attorneys know absolutely nothing about how to ensure that you qualify as such, so make sure you find an attorney who knows how to handle these cases or you may literally be giving up a claim worth tens, hundreds, or even millions of dollars,
Injured Offshore? Helpful resources and articles
Do you have a Jones Act or maritime injury case? The Jones Act and Maritime Attorneys at Vujasinovic & Beckcom, P.L.L.C. have successfully handled all types of maritime injury and Jones Act cases.
Before you talk to the company or any insurance adjusters, before you give a recorded statement, and before you choose the wrong attorney for your case, request a copy of Mr. Beckcom's book and read this list of helpful articles.
Interested in learning more about really happens in a maritime injury case?
Click here to request a copy of the "Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case"
To learn more about our law firm and what we can do for you, please visit the following websites:
http://www.vbattorneys.com/
www.maritimeaccidentattorney.com
http://www.houstoninjuryaccidentlaw.com/
If you want to know more about offshore injury claims, please take a moment to read the following articles:
1. How to hire the best lawyer for your Jones Act or offshore injury case
2. How much is my Jones Act, maritime injury, or offshore injury case worth?
3. What is the Jones Act?
4. How to wreck your Jones Act case
5. Financial Insecurity and Wrongful Termination - Two Fears After a Maritime Injury
6. What is a Longshoreman and What Are Their Legal Rights When Injured?
7. The difference between the Jones Act and the Longshore & Harbor Worker's Compensation Act
8. The Truth About Offshore Injury Claims.
9. What Should You Do If You Are Injured Offshore
10. What you should know if you were hurt offshore and your employer is giving you a hard time
11. Should I give my employer or the insurance company a "recorded statement?"
12. Do I need to hire a lawyer for my Jones Act or offshore injury claim?
13. What happens when you file a Jones Act lawsuit.
14. 6 Critical Things you must know if you are injured at sea
15. The Secrets Your Employer May Not Want You To Know If You Are Injured Offshore.
16. I was injured on a cruise ship - What are my legal rights?
About our law firm
Brian Beckcom handles Jones Act, maritime injury, and other offshore injury cases. If you want to find out more about our law firm and the types of cases we handle, please visit our Maritime Injury Law practice area page on our main website.
Or, you can send a message to Mr. Beckcom by using the Contact form on this website.
Deckhand who suffered back injury settles case against tug boat company
We are pleased to announce another substantial settlement for one of our firm's maritime clients. Our client was an injured deckhand who hurt his back. We got him a substantial confidential settlement in less than one year.Click the link above to read more.
Maritime Injuries
Fired for reporting a safety violation? You have legal rights
Maritime work can be dangerous. That's one of the reasons the U.S. Congress decided to protect offshore workers who report safety violations.You can read more about your legal issues in maritime cases by visiting www.TheMaritimeLawyer.com.
Jones Act settlement - Insurance companies will try to cheat you
Mr. Beckcom publishes new article on hiring an attorney for your Jones Act or maritime injury case
Read Mr. Beckcom's latest article which reveals the "truth" about most lawyers and whether they should accept or handle your Jones Act or maritime injury case.New article by Mr. Beckcom about hiring an attorney for your Jones Act or maritime injury case
Mr. Beckcom has published a new article about hiring the best attorney for your Jones Act or maritime injury or accident case.You can read the latest article by clicking here.
Mr. Beckcom publishes new article on seaman's rights to medical treatment and living expenses
Board certified Jones Act and maritime injury attorney Brian Beckcom has written a new article on seaman's rights when they are injured.Don't be fooled by your employer or the insurance company. If you have suffered an offshore injury or accident, please read Mr. Beckcom's article by clicking here or call Mr. Beckcom to learn about your legal rights.
General
Chief mate injured by chain stopper obtains $4.36 million dollar jury award
A 48-year old chief mater aboard a vessel owned by Maersk Line, Ltd has obtained a jury verdict of approximately $4.36 million dollars.
The worker was struck by a chain stopper while the vessel was undocking from the pier. This resulted in ulnar and elbow fractures, which required an open reduction and external fixation, with radial head excision and ulnar nerve decompression.
The worker had been making about $150,000 / year and had $475,000 in lost wages as a result of his injuries. He is now permanently unfit for sea duty and has future lost wages of approximately $1.25 million dollars.
The defendant denied all the allegations and claimed that the plaintiff failed to control the bosun and two assistant bosuns.
The jury apparently disagreed.
Injured on a vessel, boat, or oil rig?
Our attorneys often represent workers who are injured on vessels or oil rigs or in similar circumstances. If you would like to find out about these types of accidents, insurance claims, etc. visit our law firm website and go to the Jones Act and maritime injury section.
Or call our office toll free, 877.724.7800 for a free and confidential evaluation of your case with Mr. Beckcom.
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Jones Act
- What determines the value of a back case?
- Injured AB Seaman hires VB lawyer for tugboat injury claim against G&H Towing
- Back and neck injuries are wild cards in the OSG Salary Continuation Plan
Maritime Injuries
- Back and neck injuries are wild cards in company continuation plans
- This Texas Law Could Alleviate the Fear of Being Fired for Filing a Maritime Claim
- Beware the sea lawyer
Blackballed In Maritime Industry?
- The True Definition of Blacklisting
- Comp claims and absence control policy
- The legal determination of retaliatory discharge from worker’s comp claims
BP Oil Spill Injury Claims
- What exactly is a negative pressure test?
- BP internal probe on Deepwater Horizon explosion raises more questions
- BP supervisor's defense: I didn’t see Halliburton’s warning
Longshoreman Claims
- Find Out What is Considered a “Navigable Waterway” Under the LHWCA
- What Changed in the Longshore and Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act
Deckhand Injury
Offshore Oil Rig Accident
- Mariner Energy Platform Fire - Is There a Trend of Offshore Accidents?
- Mariner Energy Platform Explosion Under Investigation
- Is Offshore Drilling Safe? Many Are Asking This Question
Cruise Ship Injuries
- Hundreds Claim Illness After Mediterranean Cruise
- Carnival Cruise Ship Makes Sudden Maneuver and Injures 60 Passengers
- How Safe Are You on a Cruise Ship?
Diver Accident Lawyer
- Differential Pressure Hazards Can Be Deadly for an Occupational Diver
- A Diving Accident Can Change Your Life
- Do You Really Know Your Diving Crew?
International Maritime Injury Claims
- How might S. 3600 affect piracy cases?
- British court makes landmark ruling on whether piracy is “on hire"
- Pirate suspects coming to the U.S. for trial
General
Jones Act
- What are some examples of an unseaworthy vessel?
- Can I recover compensation for money I would have made in the future, if I hadn’t been permanently injured in an offshore accident?
Maritime Injuries
- How much is an offshore back injury case worth?
- Do I have to tell the company everything about my medical history? It seems unnecessary to me.
Blackballed In Maritime Industry?
- Can my employer block my unemployment benefits?
- Will I be "black balled" if I file a claim for the Transocean rig explosion?
BP Oil Spill Injury Claims
- Are the workers who were on the Deepwater Horizon rig the only ones who have legal rights?
- What are the symptoms of “oil spill syndrome?”
Longshoreman Claims
- I’m a longshoreman and I was injured on the job. What should I do?
- Can I file a third party claim against someone other than my employer under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act?
Deckhand Injury
- Do I need to report an injury that occurred on a barge? I was working as a deckhand at the time of the accident.
- What is the quickest way to obtain compensation for injuries I sustained as a deckhand?
Offshore Oil Rig Accident
Cruise Ship Injuries
- My husband was injured on a cruise ship and we believe the cruise line was negligent. Are there laws that protect passengers?
- What law applies to my cruise ship injury claim if I was an employee of the cruise ship?
Diver Accident Lawyer
- Can the diving company be held liable for my commercial diving injuries?
- How long does it take for symptoms of the bends to surface?
International Maritime Injury Claims
Questions for Maritime Accident Lawyers
- Is my employer required to provide and pay for personal protective equipment?
- There are reports that some of the Deepwater Horizon plaintiffs have discovered “hidden” fees being charged by some aggressive lawyers. How do I avoid this happening to me?
