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.

The test for "seaman" status under the Jones Act

We are often asked by potential clients whether they are considered "seaman" under the Jones Act.
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\nThe Seaman Status Test Under the Jones Act
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\nGenerally, to be a "seaman" under the Jones Act, an injured offshore worker must prove three things:
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\n1. A relatively permanent connection to a vessel or identifiable group of vessels;
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\n2. The vessels must be "in navigation." (This DOES NOT mean the vessel must be moving.)
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\n3. The injured worker's duties must contribute to the mission or function of the vessel. (This is defined very broadly).
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\nCourts look at all three factors, and look at the totality of the worker's duties and connection to the vessel. Courts are also not allowed to look only at the specific work being done at the time of the injury. Instead, they look at the entire employment history.
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\nPeople who serve on freighters, tugboats / towboats, crew boats, tankers, jack-up rigs, semi-submersibles, supply boats, lay barges, barges, fishing boats, and crew boats who are members of the crew are considered to be seamen under the Jones Act.
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\nThose who work on fixed platforms and longshoremen are not Jones Act seamen. That doesn't mean don't have any remedies. They just can't file a Jones Act case.
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\nWe can help you with your Jones Act case today
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\nTo schedule an appointment to learn more about your offshore injury case, you can contact Mr. Beckcom toll free at 877.724.7800. There is no cost for an initial consultation, and no obligation to move forward with a case.
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\nYou can also visit his firm's main website, www.vbattorneys.com, to learn more about the firm, the experience of the lawyers at the firm, and past case results (Keep in mind that each case has its own facts and circumstances. Past results are no indication of the value or results for your case or any other case.)
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\nAbout the author
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\nBrian Beckcom is a founding partner of Vujasinovic & Beckcom, P.L.L.C. in Houston, Texas. Mr. Beckcom handles Jones Act and maritime injury and death cases, as well as all types of significant personal injury and wrongful death matters, insurance disputes, and business disputes.
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\nMr. Beckcom is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.