What Our Clients Say

"You have amazing lawyers."

Offshore Company Lawyer to client of VB Attorneys (Jones Act case)
"Thank you so much for everything."

Roberto G., Injured Deckhand, McAllen, Texas
Robert hired us to help him after he was injured working as a deckhand offshore.
I thank you very much for the very nice local counsel fee for my role in the above matter.....You did a great job for your client.
"I am satisfied with all your advices, all the hours you spent working with us and doing a wonderful and great job." Dennis & Lynette, Killeen, Texas, Tugboat Injury
I enjoyed working with you on this matter, although I think we paid (your client) way too much.

-Defense lawyer in one of Brian's maritime injury cases
I was injured on a vessel and hired Brian Beckcom. I was totally satisfied with the work they did.

Mike Miller,
Houston, Texas Barge Injury
"They really helped me out. I would highly recommend giving Vuk and Beckcom a call." -- Injured Tankerman, Tugboat Accident
Excellent job.

Kevin H., Offshore wireline technician Houston, Texas
I just wanted to thank you again for the wonderful job you did and the great service…you changed my life for the better!

Injured Cruise Ship Employee
I enjoyed working with you. I thought you did a superb job for your client.

Defense Lawyer in Maritime Injury CaseHouston, Texas
When we are injured and vulnerable, we must be careful who we turn to for help. I am thankful in my time of need I had Curtis Bickers and his staff on my side.

Brandon H.
I am very grateful with Mr. Brian and his employees and also happy above all with Cindy who speaks 2 languages and help me a lot when I didn't understand something.

J. Ayala
Injured Offshore Welder
Port Arthur, Texas
I, Rosie, thank you, Mr. Curtis, for doing such a wonderful job for me, because without you, it would have never happen.

-Rosie T.
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.
I never got a chance to say thank you for the wonderful job you did on my daughter's case. Thanks to your efforts her college education has been taken care of. Thank you again from both of us.

J. Perez
Houston, Texas
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
Brian Beckcom 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.

Steve T.Houston, Texas
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.

Tim M.
Austin, Texas
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.

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 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.

Changes to the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act

U.S. admiralty and maritime laws exist to protect the rights of seamen and maritime workers. One of these laws is known as the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA).

Under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, injured longshoremen and stevedores can pursue benefits. In our article, Longshoremen Have Rights Too, we discuss benefits that are available to injured workers, which include medical care and financial compensation. Employers are required to pay for medical treatment, such as medical services and supplies. Financial benefits are also provided under the LHWCA that are supposed to compensate for lost income.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s website, “on February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Included in this law is a section that amends the Longshore & Harbor Workers' Compensation Act.”

This recent amendment had to do who is covered under this law. The law defines categories of workers who are excluded from LHWCA coverage provided the workers are subject to coverage under a state workers’ compensation law. Previously, this section included individuals who were employed to build, repair or dismantle any recreational vessel under 65 feet.

The 2009 amendment to the law now encompasses:

“Individuals employed to build any recreational vessel under sixty-five feet in length, or individuals employed to repair any recreational vessel, or to dismantle any part of a recreational vessel in connection with the repair of such vessel; if [such] individuals...are subject to coverage under a State workers' compensation law.”

What does this change mean to maritime workers? It seems as though the effect is to have workers who repair recreational vessels that are more than 65 feet covered under state workers’ compensation.

The law pertaining to injured longshoremen can be confusing, which is why you should contact an experienced maritime injury lawyer following a serious injury. At the Law Offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C., we can walk you through your rights and options following a maritime accident. Contact us today at 713-224-7800 or 877-724-7800.

Be sure to order Maritime Lawyer Brian Beckcom’s informative book, Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case.

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Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C
1001 Texas Avenue
Suite 1020
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 713.224.7800
Fax: 713.224.7801
Toll Free: 888.473.1258
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