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.

Compensation under the Death on the High Seas Act

Losing a loved one is overwhelming and emotionally draining. For many family members who relied on their loved one’s income to survive, they also face financial distress. The Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) was originally established in 1920 to allow family members of seamen to recover damages for future earnings.

This law states that whenever the death of a person is caused by a wrongful act, neglect or default occurring on the high seas beyond a marine league from any state, District of Columbia or U.S. territories, a personal representative of the deceased individual can pursue damages. The action to recover compensation must be on behalf of the deceased individual’s wife, children, parent or other relative who was financially dependent.

Compensation available under DOHSA for surviving family members is calculated based on the actual or projected value of the financial benefit that would have been provided by the decedent. These financial damages are known as pecuniary losses. For example, the surviving spouse can pursue compensation that would equal the actual value of the financial contribution that would have been made by the deceased spouse. Dependent children could recover an amount that would be intended to equal the value of the guidance and care that would have been provided by the deceased parent.

The surviving family members can file a lawsuit against the negligent party, such as the vessel owner, person or corporation for damages. However, if the deceased individual’s actions contributed to the accident that resulted in his or her death, the amount of damages awarded to the family could be reduced.

In some situations, deaths resulting from commercial airline crashes are also covered under the Death on the High Seas Act.

There is a deadline as to when a claim can be filed for a loved one who was killed at sea. Under the Death on the High Seas Act, the lawsuit must be filed within three years from the date the action occurred, which is typically the date of death. If you have lost a loved one due to an accident offshore, you need to contact an experienced maritime lawyer to review your case. Waiting too long to seek legal advice could hurt your case.

Contact the maritime attorneys at Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C. today at (713) 224-7800 or (877) 724-7800 for legal consultation regarding your DOHSA case. We have extensive experience and will help you receive the compensation you deserve.