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.

Offshore Drilling Rig Accident? Don't let your employer trick you into signing away your legal rights.

Offshore oil rig accidents can be catastrophic.

Offshore oil production requires heavy machinery. The work is done in dangerous conditions, often hundreds of miles from the nearest medical facility. The work may be done in high seas or in heavy rain or fog. Workers assigned to offshore rigs work long hours. The typical work day is more than 12 hours long. And rig workers don't get any days off when they are on the rig.

And, as anyone who has worked in the offshore oil production business will tell you (if they are being honest), the management often puts production first and safety second (if safety is even in the top ten). Even if they say "Safety First."

All too often, this results in carelessness or a lack of safey awareness. Which means injuries. Sometimes serious injuries, or even death.

Injuries on offshore rigs may include the following:

Burn injuries
Head injuries
Amputations
Paralysis
Back injuries
Neck injuries
Knee injuries
Falls
Crush injuries
Eye injuries
Injuries caused by exposure to toxic substances

What Law Covers Me If I Was Injured On An Offshore Oil Rig?

Offshore rig workers are typically covered by the Jones Act or maritime law, or both. In some situations, offshore rig workers will be covered by the Longshore & Harbor Workers Compensation Act.

Click Here To Research The Jones Act
Click Here To Research Maritime Law
Click Here to Research The Longshore Harbor Worker's Compensation Act

Bottom line, rig injury cases are complex. The laws are complicated. And the companies almost always have plenty of money and plenty of attorneys working against you.

Make sure you do your research before you sign away your rights.

How Do I Get Accurate Information About A Rig Injury Case?

Not from your company.

You can start by using this website to research maritime law, the Jones Act, and Longshore & Harbor Worker's Compensation laws. I'd also encourage you to look at other Internet sites to see if they have any helpful information.

Once you've done your research, you really need to decide if you need an attorney or not.

Frankly, in some situations, such as minor injury cases, you probably won't need an attorney (even though some attorneys will insist that you hire them or pressure you into hiring them). In some cases, in fact, you may end up with less money if you hire an attorney because you will have to pay an attorney.

In serious injury cases, however, you probably need an attorney. And not just any attorney--an experienced offshore rig attorney.

Click Here To Find Out If Your Attorney Knows His Or Her Stuff

What Is Most Important After An Offshore Rig Injury?

The most important thing after an offshore rig injury is to get immediate medical attention.

And that doesn't mean visiting the rig medic and being told to take a few Advil and get some sleep (unless it's just a minor injury). Proper medical attention means getting proper medical attention from a real doctor.

I've had clients who have went to the rig medic, were given a quick exam, the rig medic gave them pain pills, and then told the rig worker to get back to work. One of those clients had his kidneys fail shortly thereafter, another discovered that his ribs were broken and one kidney was lacerated, and many others turned out to have severe, permanent back or neck injuries.

After you've attended to your medical care, you need to make sure your injury is documented and witness names recorded. It is also helpful to get witness statements. Company employees sometimes change their stories if they get pressure from the bosses.

Offshore Rig Injury? We Can Help

We help offshore rig workers across the world. We can help you too.

One of the very first things I would suggest you consider when doing your research is to get a copy of my FREE book, The Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case. I wrote the book specifically for injured employees. It's a short (50 page) book designed to help you avoid costly mistakes.

All you have to do is click here to get a copy of The Insider's Guide To Winning Your Maritime Injury Case delivered to you by email or regular mail, free of charge.

Blog for Offshore Oil Rig Accident

Library for Offshore Oil Rig Accident:

How Are Texas Gulf Oil Rig Workers Protected from Benzene?
When a Texas offshore oil worker is exposed to benzene, health risks are great. A Gulf Coast maritime lawyer explains OSHA’s role in safety regulations.
The dangers of drill rig chains and tongs
Frequent tong injuries include mashed fingers and hands, being hit by pipe tongs, and shrapnel from small particles of tong die being embedded into the eyes.
CDC: Fatality rate seven times higher for oil & gas workers
The recent death of Brandon Michael Noland, 20, of Katy, Texas from a Gulf of Mexico crane collapse is the latest evidence of the dangers of working on rigs.
Jones Act Lawyer Talks Deepwater Drilling – Will Oil Rig Safety Be Improved?
Jones Act attorney discusses the recent deepwater drilling permits in the Gulf. Has safety improved? Will rig accidents be prevented?
Federal Agency Charged With Offshore Safety Has “Deeply-Flawed Inspection Program”
Are federal inspectors doing enough to prevent offshore rig accidents? Many safety experts would say, “no.” Read this article to learn more. While you are on our website, order a FREE copy of maritime lawyer Brian Beckcom’s book, The Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case. It has information you need to read, as an injured maritime worker.
Read how workers escaped injury from falling crane on Hercules rig [PDF]
On the evening of December 11, 2008, a crane boom broke free on Hercules Offshore Rig 251 and fell onto a workboat. Read the Accident Investigation Report here in our article library.
Source: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
The Accident Report of the worker knocked unconscious on a Hercules Offshore job [PDF]
In 2007, a worker aboard a Hercules Offshore rig suffered three skull fractures and fell face first into the deck. See the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Accident Injury Report here.
Hercules, Contango accused in hydraulic spill injury case [PDF]
The offshore firms Hercules Liftboat Company, LLC and Contango Oil & Gas Company have been named as defendants in a Gulf of Mexico boat accident. Tim Holt, a crewmember, alleges undisclosed injuries after falling while cleaning hydraulic fluid on the deck of the M/V GAAR at Eugene Island 11-H. Hercules was the vessel’s owner and operator. Contango contends that the fluid spilled from a return line on the platform crane. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Court in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Source: Justia.com
New Burdens Placed on Shallow-Water Drilling Industry
The shallow-water drilling industry is not happy with the new regulations placed by the government. Read this article to find out why and be sure to order a free copy of maritime lawyer Brian Beckcom’s book, The Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case.
Fires & Explosions in the Gulf of Mexico are Nothing New to the Maritime Industry
More than a hundred fires and explosions ignite each year in the Gulf of Mexico. Read this article to learn more and be sure to order your FREE copy of maritime lawyer Brian Beckcom’s book, Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case.
Accidents & Dangerous Occurences Injury Definitions [PDF]
Offshore companies are required to report worker injuries greater than minor ones within 15 days at the end of each month to a safety authority. To help protect yourself from an employer playing fast and loose with the facts, print out, read and take a copy of the injury reporting guidelines from the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority.
What’s Causing So Many Oil Rig Injuries & Deaths? This Information May Surprise You
Stress, confusion and exhaustion could be some of the many contributing factors to offshore rig injuries. Read this article to learn more and order your free copy of of Houston maritime attorney Brian Beckcom’s book, The Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case.
Injured in an offshore oil rig explosion? Our Board Certified Personal Injury Lawyers provide free information and help.
Board Certified Law Firm specializes in Offshore Oil Rig Explosion cases, including the Transocea Rig Explosion Disaster.
Injured on BP Thunderhorse platform - Learn your rights
Board Certified Maritime Law Attorney Brian Beckcom answers questions about the BP Thunderhorse platform.
Offshore Oil Rig Accidents and the Jones Act
As there continues to be a high demand for oil, there is a high rate of offshore oil rig accidents. Read this article to learn about offshore oil rig workers’ rights when injured in serious oil rig accidents. Contact an experienced oil rig lawyer at the Houston Law Offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom, P.L.L.C. at 713.224.7800 or 877.724.7800 if you have sustained an oil rig injury.
Defendants named in offshore oil platform explosion that killed and injured maritime workers
Defendants were recently named in a lawsuit over the collision and explosion of two oil platforms that resulted in numerous deaths and injuries. This case is a prime example of what can go wrong at sea and the terrible risks that maritime workers face when forces of nature combine with human negligence.
Offshore Oil Rig Injuries Are Often Covered Under the Jones Act
Offshore oil rig injuries are often covered under the Jones Act. This article discusses compensation available following an offshore oil rig accident and the rights of injured victims. Contact an experienced Houston maritime attorney at the law offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom, L.L.P. at 713.224.7800 or 877.724.7800 for a free legal consultation.
Offshore Platform Injuries
I was injured on an offshore oil platform. What are my legal rights?

We see these kind of cases frequently. Unfortunately, there is no quick and easy answer to your question.

An offshore platform differs from an offshore rig because most of the time, the rig can be moved from place to place while the platform is fixed permanently to the ocean floor.

This distinction can make a big difference in your legal rights.
Oil Platform Injury Cases
I was injured on an offshore oil platform. What are my legal rights?

We see these kind of cases frequently. Unfortunately, there is no quick and easy answer to your question.

An offshore platform differs from an offshore rig because most of the time, the rig can be moved from place to place while the platform is fixed permanently to the ocean floor.

This distinction can make a big difference in your legal rights.
I was injured on an offshore jack-up rig or oil platform - What are my legal rights to compensation?
I was injured on a jack-up oil rig or offshore oil platform. What are my legal rights to compensation for my injuries?

View All

Frequent Questions for Offshore Oil Rig Accident:

Case Results for Offshore Oil Rig Accident:

Platform operator claimed swing transfer injured back on Murphy Exploration Company offshore rig

Awarded: $745,000 settlement; $298,000 attorney fee; $65,000 expenses

Dispatcher Injured On Ensco Jack Up Rig; Knee Injury; Surgical

Awarded: $600,000 settlement; $240,000 attorney fee; $25,000 expenses

Accident with drilling pipe put roughneck out of work: offshore accident case settled against Parker Drilling

Videos about Offshore Oil Rig Accident:

Offshore Rig Injury? Lawyer Teaches Your Legal Rights

Offshore Rig Injury? Attorney Explains Your Legal Rights

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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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