Maritime Information
What Our Clients Say
- 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
Library Articles
Our Houston maritime injury lawyers post articles regularly on current offshore laws, rules, and how to deal with maritime injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in an offshore accident, diving accident, boating accident or shipyard injury contact our experienced maritime injury attorneys today.Library Categories:
- Jones Act
- Maritime Injuries
- Blackballed In Maritime Industry?
- BP Oil Spill Injury Claims
- Longshoreman Claims
- Deckhand Injury
- Offshore Oil Rig Accident
- Cruise Ship Injuries
- Diver Accident Lawyer
- International Maritime Injury Claims
- General
Jones Act:
- VB Lawyer hired to file tugboat injury lawsuit against Grifco.
Description: Tankerman employed by Grifco aboard the tugboat "Natalie Alexander" hires VB attorney to file Jones Act lawsuit. 
Port Arthur, Texas Maritime Attorney Provides Insight into Jones Act Protection
Description: If you have been injured in a maritime accident, you need to become familiar with the Jones Act. Read this article to learn more and contact an experienced Port Arthur maritime attorney at our office for a free case evaluation.- Liberty, Texas Maritime Attorney Defines a “Jones Act Seaman”
Description: If you have been hurt in an offshore accident, you need to read this article to find out if you are protected under the Jones Act. For a free case evaluation, contact a Board Certified Liberty maritime attorney at our office. - How do you know if you need a Livingston maritime attorney?
Description: How do you know if you need a Livingston maritime attorney? Read this article to find out. Order your free copy of Board Certified Attorney Brian Beckcom’s book, How to Hire the Best Attorney for Your Maritime Injury Case, if you have been hurt in a maritime accident. - Orange, Texas Maritime Attorney Answers Some Commonly Asked Questions
Description: Read this article if you have been seriously hurt in an offshore accident. Orange maritime attorney Brian Beckcom answers some of the most commonly asked questions by injured seamen. When you are on the site, be sure to order a free copy of the controversial book, Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case.
Maritime Injuries:
- Texas City Maritime Attorney Offers FREE Book to Injured Workers
Description: It is hard to know whom you can trust after a serious offshore accident. Read this article to learn more and order your free copy of Texas City maritime attorney Brian Beckcom’s book, Insider’s Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case. - Pasadena Maritime Attorney Discusses Red Flags on Lawyer Websites
Description: What should you be looking for on an attorney’s website? Read this article to find out and order your copy of Pasadena maritime attorney Brian Beckcom’s FREE report, "Top 10 RED FLAGS On Attorney Websites That Tell You Who NOT To Hire." - Entergy Gulf States Inc. v. John Summers [PDF]
Description: In Entergy Gulf States Inc. v. John Summers, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that injured sub-contracted workers are not allowed to collect damages if they are covered under worker's compensation insurance. - Employer trick exposed: categorizing a Jones Act seaman as a "Longshore" claim. Why would an employer try to do this? If you are injured offshore, you need to know.
Description: If you are hurt offshore, watch out for this employer trick. It could cost you a lot. - We urge all offshore workers to fully disclose your medical history
Description: The moral of the story is: always give 100% medical disclosure. First, you could avoid being portrayed as a villain by the insurance company when you are legitimately hurt. Second, it could save your life one day.
Blackballed In Maritime Industry?:
- The Maritime Worker Who Might Be Blacklisted
Description: Why do maritime employees sometimes get blackballed within the industry? Read this article to find the answer and order your free copy of maritime lawyer Brian Beckcom’s book, The Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case today!
BP Oil Spill Injury Claims:
- The Anatomy of a Negative Pressure Test [PDF]
Description: Reports on the events behind the April 20, 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion generally point to the Macondo well stability test conducted just hours before disaster struck. In the test, engineers made the decision to replace heavier drilling mud with lighter seawater to prevent gas from escaping. The procedure failed and the resultant blowout killed 11 workers, injured 17 persons and triggered the Gulf oil disaster. We have posted a diagram of how a negative pressure test is supposed to work. - BP’s “company man” still in hiding
Description: “Well, this is how it’s gonna be,” Donald Vidrine allegedly said when confronted by other concerned workers. On three occasions, he has refused to testify (because of "illness") about what took place on the platform. - BP’s “company man” still in hiding
Description: “Well, this is how it’s gonna be,” Donald Vidrine allegedly said when confronted by other concerned workers. On three occasions, he has refused to testify (because of "illness") about what took place on the platform. - 20 years of reckless operations at BP's Texas City refinery
Description: The first troubling sign of reckless operations was found to have taken place in 1991. That was when the plant, then owned by Amoco, cut the funding for the proposed removal of exhaust blow down areas that released explosive vapors into the atmosphere. - Modification of S 3600, The Fairness in Admiralty and Maritime Law Act [PDF]
Description: Senator Jay Rockefeller has introduced a revision to The Fairness in Admiralty and Maritime Act that would help the Deepwater Horizon families and fishermen lost at sea.
Longshoreman Claims:
- The impact of Entergy upon Texas workers’ rights
Description: Whether you’re a seaman near the Texas shores or an industrial worker in the Lone Star State, you should be aware that there are efforts to right the infringement perpetrated by the State Supreme Court upon your ability to receive justice for a work place injury. - State Workers Compensation Law v. the Longshore & Harbor Workers Compensation Act
Description: There is often confusion regarding what coverage applies when someone who works near the waterfront is injured. Read this article to learn about cases that address this very issue. If you are a longshoreman, harbor worker, stevedore or other maritime worker and have been injured on the job, you should contact a maritime attorney at the Law Offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom, P.L.L.C. at 713.224.7800 or 877.724.7800. - Full Text of Longshore Harbor Worker's Compensation Act
Description: Read the complete, full text of the Longshore Harbor Worker's Compensation Act on the Internet's best website for maritime injury research. - Changes to the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
Description: An amendment was made to the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, which can impact your ability to recover compensation under this law. If you have been injured in a maritime accident and are employed as a stevedore or longshoreman, then you need to read this article.
Deckhand Injury:
- Deckhands Are At Risk of Catastrophic Eye Injuries
Description: Read this article to learn your rights, if you have suffered a serious eye injury while working as a crewmember aboard a vessel. This article explains these types of injuries and the compensation you may be entitled to. Contact a Jones Act lawyer today for a free legal consultation. - Preventing Deckhand Injuries
Description: Read this article to find out how you can avoid a serious deckhand injury. If you have been injured in a maritime accident you believe that negligence was involved, you should contact an experienced Jones Act lawyer at the Houston Law Offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C. at 877.724.7800.
Offshore Oil Rig Accident:
- Accidents & Dangerous Occurences Injury Definitions [PDF]
Description: Offshore companies are required to report worker injuries greater than minor ones within 15 days at the end of each month to a safety authority. To help protect yourself from an employer playing fast and loose with the facts, print out, read and take a copy of the injury reporting guidelines from the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority. - What’s Causing So Many Oil Rig Injuries & Deaths? This Information May Surprise You
Description: Stress, confusion and exhaustion could be some of the many contributing factors to offshore rig injuries. Read this article to learn more and order your free copy of of Houston maritime attorney Brian Beckcom’s book, The Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case. - Injured in an offshore oil rig explosion? Our Board Certified Personal Injury Lawyers provide free information and help.
Description: Board Certified Law Firm specializes in Offshore Oil Rig Explosion cases, including the Transocea Rig Explosion Disaster.
Cruise Ship Injuries:
- Bad News Continues for Carnival – Read About Recent Accidents and Injuries
Description: Carnival cruise ship accidents have appeared in the news often over the last several years, including the most recent accident that injured 60 passengers. Read this article to learn more and contact an experienced cruise ship lawyer at the Law Offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C. at 713.224.7800 or 877.724.7800. - What Cruise Ship Employees Need to Know About Their Rights
Description: You need to read this article if you have been injured while working on a cruise ship. It will explain your rights to compensation under the law. For answers to your questions regarding your cruise ship injury, contact an experienced cruise ship attorney at the Law Offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C. at 877.724.7800. - Your Safety as a Cruise Ship Passenger is Not Guaranteed
Description: Your safety on a cruise ship is not guaranteed. Read this article to learn more and contact a cruise ship attorney at the Law Offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C. at 877.724.7800 if you have been injured in a cruise ship accident. - Are Cruise Ships Dangerous?
Description: Are you worried about possible dangers associated with cruise ships? If so, you need to read this article. If you have been injured on a cruise ship, whether you were a passenger or crewmember at the time, we can help. Contact a cruise ship lawyer at our office today at 877.724.7800. - What You Need to Do Following a Cruise Ship Injury
Description: If you have been injured in a cruise ship accident, there are some things you need to do. Read this article to learn more and contact an experienced Houston cruise ship attorney at the Law Offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C. for advice regarding your case.
Diver Accident Lawyer:
- Many Commercial Dive Accidents Can Be Prevented
Description: A commercial dive accident can lead to catastrophic injuries and death. Read this article to learn how you can prevent a serious diving accident and contact a Houston dive accident lawyer if you have been injured. Call the Law Offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom, P.L.L.C. at 713.224.7800 or 877.724.7800 today. - Diving Accidents Can Lead to Permanent Brain Damage
Description: A commercial diving accident can result in permanent brain damage. Read this article to learn more about brain injuries caused by dive accidents and contact an experienced Houston maritime injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom, P.L.L.C. at 713.224.7800 or 877.724.7800 for legal advice. - Watch Out For Differential Pressure Hazards
Description: Have you or a loved one been injured in a commercial diving accident? Read this article to learn about differential pressure hazards that can lead to serious diving injuries. Contact an experienced Houston diving accident attorney at the Law Offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom, P.L.L.C. at 713.224.7800 or 877.724.7800 regarding your dive accident case - Untrained Crewmembers Can Cause a Diving Accident
Description: Untrained crewmembers can cause a serious diving accident. Read this article to learn more and contact an experienced diving injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom, P.L.L.C. at 713.224.7800 or 877.724.7800, if you or a loved one has been injured in a dive accident. - Four Common Causes of Commercial Diving Accidents
Description: A commercial diving accident can lead to life changing injuries and death. Read this article to find out the four common causes of dive accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in a maritime accident, contact the Houston maritime injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom, P.L.L.C. at 713.224.7800 or 877.724.7800.
International Maritime Injury Claims:
- The Practical Effects of International Piracy upon the Practice of Maritime Law, part 1
Description: As a firm representing six of those hijacked crewmembers, we find ourselves entering largely unsettled legal waters regarding liability in the context of proper crew defense against maritime crimes. Our clients seek justice against their former employer for failure to adequately protect them against piracy. - The Practical Effects of International Piracy upon the Practice of Maritime Law, part 2
Description: Three major issues can be extrapolated from the complexities of maritime piracy upon the law. They are: whether the vessel was unseaworthy, a determination of proper venue and the naming of the proper defendants.
General:
- Seafarers once again caught in the middle in recent pirate attack
Description: What you don’t read in the news accounts of the first pirate killed by armed security is that no mariners lost their lives. What you do see in many of those stories is the obsession with the legal tug of war over the merits or detriments of carrying armed security aboard commercial ships. - Seafarers face terrorism threats in Red Sea and Malacca Straits, Part 2
Description: The other potential chokepoint of opportunity for terrorists is the Malacca Straits, the 550 mile long waterway connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans. 50,000 ships pass through the Straits each year carrying 25-percent of the world’s oil. This month, the Singapore Navy reported that it has received information that an unnamed terrorist group is planning to unleash attacks in the Straits upon tankers and other large vessels. - Seafarers face terrorism threats in Red Sea and Malacca Straits, Part 1
Description: Recent intelligence reports warn of a possible expansion of piracy into terrorism in two of the world’s major shipping bottlenecks. Even with this explosive information, sailors remain vulnerable as ever for putting their lives at risk on the front lines. - Jones Act Vessel Explained - Steward v. Dutra
Description: The U.S. Supreme Court explains what constitutes a "vessel" under the Jones Act. - Attorney Brian Beckcom Representing Crewmen of Attacked Freighter
Description: Attorney Brian Beckcom is representing six crewmembers of the Maersk Alabama. This freighter was attacked by pirates twice in the last seven months. Find out more about this maritime case and contact the Houston law offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom, L.L.P. at 713.224.7800 or 877.724.7800 if you have been injured offshore.
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Jones Act
- 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
- OSG Attempts to get Seaman to Release “Jones Act” Rights
Maritime Injuries
- This Texas Law Could Alleviate the Fear of Being Fired for Filing a Maritime Claim
- Beware the sea lawyer
- Offshore workers need to be amateur investigators on the job
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 is No Stranger to Oil Rig Accidents
- Mariner Energy Oil Rig Explosion Creates a Tidal Wave of Concern
- Offshore workers: make sure your injury is properly reported
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
- Do I have to tell the company everything about my medical history? It seems unnecessary to me.
- How will I pay my bills while I am unable to work following a maritime injury?
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?
