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What Our Clients Say

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
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
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

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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.

Exposure to Lead in Maritime Employment

If you work in the maritime industry and have been exposed to lead paint, you have legal rights and could be entitled to compensation for any illness that resulted from the lead exposure.

For years, lead has been known to be a harmful environmental pollutant and a health danger. Before it was discovered that lead was harmful, it was used in paint, gasoline, water pipes and various other items. The Secretary of Department of Health and Human Services made a statement in 1991, calling lead “the number one environmental threat to the health of children in the United States.” However, children are not the only ones exposed to harmful levels of lead, many workers within the maritime industry are also the victims of lead exposure that can cause severe health problems.

Workers can be exposed to lead through the air, drinking water, food and dust, but the most common source of lead exposure comes from deteriorating paint. Today, old lead-based paint is a major source of lead exposure in the United States. When lead-based paint is improperly removed by dry scraping, open-flame burning or sanding, it can cause high levels of lead exposure. This exposure can result in even more serious health problems if workers are in enclosed areas or if they smoke near the source of the lead paint.

Lead Causes Serious Health Effects
When a worker is exposed to lead, it can affect nearly all systems within the body. High levels of lead exposure can cause seizures, coma or death. Even low levels of lead exposure can result in severe side effects, which could adversely impact the central nervous system, kidney and blood cells.

Some of the symptoms of lead exposure include the following:

Stomach ache or cramping
Nausea or vomiting
Fatigue
Headache
Muscle weakness
Irritability
Changes in personality or mood
Memory Loss
Seizures
Paralysis
Coma
Poor coordination

Immediate medical attention should be pursued for some of the more serious symptoms of lead exposure, such as paralysis, seizures and coma.

Your Legal Rights If You Are Exposed to Lead
As a maritime worker, you are protected under the law if you have been exposed to lead while working offshore. If you are considered a seaman under the Jones Act, you can file a Jones Act lawsuit. Even if you are not considered a seaman, you may have rights under the Longshore & Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act, General Maritime Law or the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA).

Contact the maritime attorneys at Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C. for advice regarding your lead exposure case. You can reach our knowledgeable attorneys by calling (713) 224-7800 or (877) 724-7800.