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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.

Spinal Cord Injury Sustained Offshore

Working on a rig, tug or other vessel can be dangerous and often results in serious injuries. Maritime workers face many dangers when working offshore, such as rough waters, defective equipment, slippery surfaces and other unsafe conditions. Sometimes these dangers lead to severe injuries, including spinal cord injuries. If you have sustained a spinal cord injury while working offshore, you need to be aware of the treatment options available and possible compensation. Employers and vessel owners can be held responsible if their negligent acts caused your maritime injury.

A spinal cord injury refers to damage to the spinal cord. According to WebMD.com, “the spinal cord carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body. These messages allow you to move and to feel touch, among other things. A spinal cord injury stops the flow of messages below the site of the injury. The closer the injury is to the brain, the more of the body is affected.”

Many of spinal cord injuries caused by accidents offshore lead to permanent disability or paralysis. Depending on where the injury is located in the spine, it can cause quadriplegia or paraplegia. If you suffer a spinal cord injury, symptoms may include:

• Pain in the spinal cord or a stinging sensation
• Loss of movement
• Loss of sensation
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Spasms
• Difficulty breathing

Emergency symptoms of a spinal cord injury that would require immediate medical attention include:

• Loss of consciousness
• Extreme back pain or pressure
• Paralysis in any part of the body
• Difficulty walking
• Impaired breathing
• Oddly positioned neck or back

Treatment for a spinal cord injury should begin right away. At the hospital, the medical staff will work on preventing further damage to your spinal cord. Blood pressure will need to be stabilized and steroid medicine is sometimes administered to reduce swelling. Tests, such as x-rays, CT scans, MRI scans and ultrasounds, will be conducted to determine the extent of the damage to your spine.

Rehabilitation usually begins after you have become stable. The focus will be on preventing pressure sores, maintaining strength and flexibility and learning how to use a wheelchair or other device.

If your spinal cord injury was the result of negligence, either by the crew, employer or vessel owner, you may be able to obtain compensation for your injuries. There are many different laws and maritime injury cases can be complex. You should contact an experienced maritime lawyer at Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C. today at (713) 224-7800 or (877) 724-7800 for a legal consultation.