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Winning Your Offshore Injury Case’ Category


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Jet-ski accidents takes one life, two others injured

Monday, September 21st, 2009

 

A 15-year-old western Michigan boy has died and two Chicago-area females have been injured when the personal watercraft they were on collided with a ski boat. A Labor Day personal watercraft injury accident took the life of a 15-year-old Michigan boy, and injured two others in Michigan.

The boy was driving a personal watercraft about in the evening when it was hit by a ski boat.

One of the two passengers suffered injuries that resulting in leg amputation. The other passenger was treated for minor injuries.

 If you or someone you know has suffered injury in a maritime...

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Do you know what you are signing? Avoid being tricked after an injury at sea.

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009

It is important to always be aware of what you are signing. This holds true in a maritime accident as well. If you have been injured in an accident at sea, Jones Act and maritime injury accident lawyer Brain Beckcom recommends not signing anything that says “release” or “waiver” or any language like that.

Some offshore employers will tell you that you’ve got to sign off on documents before you get medical attention, or get paid, etc. This may be a trick. If you are given any documents to sign after an injury at sea, you...

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Jones Act and Maritime injury lawyer Brian Beckcom: Don’t sign accident report unless it is accurate

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

Accident reports are a very important part of the documentation needed to prove a maritime injury accident case. The most important part of an accident report, however, is making sure that it is accurate.

The fourth tip on what to do if you are injured in an accident at sea is to sign the accident report ONLY IF you are satisfied that it is complete and accurate. Make sure that all of the dates, names, and descriptions are correct. Also make sure that you are correctly quoted, and that witness statements are complete.

If the accident report is incomplete or...

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Injury at sea must be documented with photographs, according to Jones Act and maritime injury accident lawyer Brian Beckcom

Friday, May 8th, 2009

Documentation is key when proving your maritime injury accident case. It is especially hard to go back later after an injury accident at sea has occurred, which makes it virtually impossible to capture the same evidence as the time of the accident.

That is why it is so important to follow Tip #3 of the six critical things to know if you are injured at sea. Taking pictures is imperative after an accident injury at sea. Make sure to take photos of the accident scene, including the weather conditions, the exact spot of accident, and the surrounding...

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Jones Act and Maritime accident lawyer Brain Beckcom recommends reporting maritime accident injuries immediately

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009

Suffering an injury at sea can be a scary and devastating experience. That devastation mixed with the uncertainty on how to handle the aftermath can cause confusion and frustration to a whole family.

That is why it is important to remember the second step to take after a maritime accident. Report the maritime accident to the appropriate supervisor as soon as possible after an injury accident at sea.

This means requesting an accident report form and filling it out, including statements from all witnesses and any of those involved in the maritime accident. Make sure to get...

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Jones Act and maritime accident lawyer Brian Beckcom on what to do if you are hurt at sea

Monday, May 4th, 2009

If you or a loved one are ever involved in an accident at sea, there are important steps you must take.

Regardless of the type of maritime accident, or whether the maritime accident seems serious or not, your medical care comes first.

Seek medical treatment immediately, even if it means just getting checked out by a medical professional to ensure that you are not seriously injured. If you need medical treatment – whether it be first aid, emergency care, or hospitalization - get it immediately. If the vessel has a medic, see the medic.

In many cases, those who...

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The truth about Jones Act and maritime injury claims

Thursday, February 26th, 2009

Last week we were contacted by an offshore worker who was injured overseas, while working for U.S. and foreign companies.  The caller was from the United Kingdom.  He clearly had suffered serious and career-threatening injuries.  He wanted to hire me as his lawyer.

I told him I was glad he called.  The reason?  Because his case is going to be very, very complicated and complex.  Maritime law and the Jones Act can be very complicated in general, and when you throw in a bunch of facts that make it even more complicated, you are looking at some of the most...

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Injured deckhand settles injury case against Blake Offshore

Thursday, November 6th, 2008

We are pleased to announce yet another terrific settlement for one of our Jones Act clients.

Our client was a long-time employee of Blake Offshore.  He was hurt when he fell in an open hole that was not properly marked off with caution tape (or any other kind of warning device).  He was severely injured.

In fact, our client was knocked unconscious for almost 5 minutes.  He ended up having the following injuries:

1.  Injuries to his head;

 

2.  Ringing in his ears, memory loss, blackouts;

3.  A neck injury;

4.  Herniated discs in his cervical spine;

5.  A shoulder injury (he tore his rotator...

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How to wreck your Jones Act case

Monday, July 7th, 2008

One of the interesting things about representing hundreds of offshore workers, Jones Act seamen, and maritime workers is that you get a unique perspective on how to most efficiently and effectively represent these workers.

You also learn the tricks and traps that insurance companies and the offshore companies will use to try to wreck the case.

I have seen injured offshore workers make a lot of really simply mistakes before they call me which can really hurt their case.

In fact, what happens in some cases is that the injured offshore worker...

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Financial Insecurity and Wrongful Termination – Two Fears After A Maritime Injury

Friday, June 20th, 2008

When we accept a maritime injury case, our number one goal is to win your case.  However, the insurance companies have various tricks and techniques they will use to try to keep you from winning your case.  Financial pressure and wrongful termination are two techniques they may use against you if you are hurt offshore.

When a worker is injured offshore, two of the main problems they experience are financial problems (inability to pay bills) and the fear of getting fired (wrongful termination).

Workers offshore who are injured at work are the primary breadwinner for themselves and their...

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