Wrongful Death Claims’ Category
Three Crewmembers Killed in Egyptian Cruise Line Accident
Friday, March 26th, 2010
A Costa Cruises liner crashed into a pier in the Egyptian port of Sharm el Sheikh, killing three of the crewmembers and injuring three passengers.
The Costa Europa was docking at the port when it apparently crashed into the pier, and tilted over to the port side. The accident occurred early in the morning at about 4:45 and most of the passengers on the liner were asleep. Obviously it was a traumatic experience for them to wake up and find the ship plunged in darkness, tilted to one side and all their personal effects being flung about.
The three...
Fatal boating accident takes life of three Houston-area men
Friday, May 22nd, 2009A maritime injury took the life of three Houston-area residents early yesterday morning after their fishing boat collided with a barge southwest of New Orleans, according to the Houston Chronicle. The fatal boating accident also caused two Lousiana residents to lose their lives.
Apparently the 24-foot fishing boat became pinned under a part of the barge after impact. The Chronicle also reported that Captain Samuel Martin believes that the fatal boating accident victims died from the injuries they received during impact, and did not suffer death by drowning.
Vujasinovic & Beckcom, P.L.L.C. extends their condolences to the families of all...
Dredge worker killed in Houston Ship Channel
Wednesday, March 4th, 2009The Houston Chronicle is reporting that an employee of King Fisher Marine Service LP was killed on March 3, 2009 when the crewmembers were moving a dredge in the Houston Ship Channel.
Although reports are preliminary, it appears that the dredge was being moved to a new job site when an accident with machinery aboard the dredge occured. The investigation is ongoing.
The initial reports from the Harris County Sheriff's Office indicate that the worker was struck by a crane, although company officials deny there was a crane aboard the vessel.
The accident occured near the San Jacinto Monument around 11 a.m.
Hopefully,...
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...
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...
I was exposed to benzene, asbestos, or another toxic substance as part of my maritime work – What are my legal rights?
Friday, June 13th, 2008
Thank you for your question:
Many workers are exposed to hazardous chemicals or other substances like benzene, asbestos, chlorine, cleaning solvents, etc. as part of their maritime work on vessels, ships, jack-up rigs, oil rigs, and other maritime equipment.
For instance, recently, a worker who was exposed to benzene over the course of his 20 years as a seaman developed non-Hodgkins lymphoma. The seaman claims that 18 of his former employers were negligent and has sued them under the Jones Act for his damages.
One of the defendants includes Kirby Inland Marine,...
Many workers are exposed to hazardous chemicals or other substances like benzene, asbestos, chlorine, cleaning solvents, etc. as part of their maritime work on vessels, ships, jack-up rigs, oil rigs, and other maritime equipment.
For instance, recently, a worker who was exposed to benzene over the course of his 20 years as a seaman developed non-Hodgkins lymphoma. The seaman claims that 18 of his former employers were negligent and has sued them under the Jones Act for his damages.
One of the defendants includes Kirby Inland Marine,...
Jones Act and offshore workers are often mistreated when they are injured offshore
Thursday, May 29th, 2008
Way Too Many Offshore Workers Are Mistreated When They Are Hurt
It is a simple fact of life and one that our law firm has seen too many times.
A good, hard-working employee is injured offshore on the job through no fault of his or her own. The employee reports the injury. The company then either refuses to do an accident report, does a very quick but not very thorough accident report (or even an inaccurate report), and then tries to get the employee to write something or sign something giving away all...
It is a simple fact of life and one that our law firm has seen too many times.
A good, hard-working employee is injured offshore on the job through no fault of his or her own. The employee reports the injury. The company then either refuses to do an accident report, does a very quick but not very thorough accident report (or even an inaccurate report), and then tries to get the employee to write something or sign something giving away all...
Reporting your offshore injury
Sunday, March 30th, 2008
Reporting your injury in a timely fashion is one of the most important things you can do if you are injured offshore.
Initially, you may think your injury is not serious. However, if the injury turns out to be serious, your company, and its insurance company, may later claim that you weren't hurt or aren't hurt as bad as you claim if there is no report of the accident.
Any accident involving any injury, no matter how minor, should be reported immediately. The right thing to do, and what most companies expect, is that you will tell...
Initially, you may think your injury is not serious. However, if the injury turns out to be serious, your company, and its insurance company, may later claim that you weren't hurt or aren't hurt as bad as you claim if there is no report of the accident.
Any accident involving any injury, no matter how minor, should be reported immediately. The right thing to do, and what most companies expect, is that you will tell...
Jones Act Barge Lawsuit Claims That Company Failed to Provide a Safe Place to Work
Tuesday, March 11th, 2008
A barge worker's widow recently filed a lawsuit against a barge company and a contracting company after her husband was killed.
In the lawsuit, the widow claims that her deceased husband died when he slipped and fell on an icy barge. The barge was empty. The lawsuit claims that the barge company failed to provide the worker with a safe place to work.
About this case and maritime wrongful death claims
Under maritime law, the direct descendents of deceased workers may be able to bring claims for wrongful death. Under most claims, the survivors must prove...
In the lawsuit, the widow claims that her deceased husband died when he slipped and fell on an icy barge. The barge was empty. The lawsuit claims that the barge company failed to provide the worker with a safe place to work.
About this case and maritime wrongful death claims
Under maritime law, the direct descendents of deceased workers may be able to bring claims for wrongful death. Under most claims, the survivors must prove...
BP Texas City refinery, and other BP refineries, continue to be the nationa’s deadliest
Sunday, February 24th, 2008
The Houston Chronicle has an interesting article about British Petroleum and its safety record in today's edition.
Even after killing 15 people and injuring hundreds in 2005 at its Texas City refinery, and pleading guilty to a felony as a result of its conduct leading up to that explosion, BP apparently has not learned its lesson.
According to the Houston Chronicle, since the 2005 explosion, BP's Texas City refinery is still the nation's most dangerous.
You can read the full article by clicking here.
For some reason, the federal government apparently believes that a...
Even after killing 15 people and injuring hundreds in 2005 at its Texas City refinery, and pleading guilty to a felony as a result of its conduct leading up to that explosion, BP apparently has not learned its lesson.
According to the Houston Chronicle, since the 2005 explosion, BP's Texas City refinery is still the nation's most dangerous.
You can read the full article by clicking here.
For some reason, the federal government apparently believes that a...
Lawsuit Filed Against Blessey Marine for Wrongful Death of Seaman
Tuesday, February 19th, 2008
A Jones Act seaman's wife has filed a lawsuit against Blessey Marine, his employer, for the wrongful death of the seaman.
The seaman was killed by lighting on August 2007. According to the lawsuit, Blessey Marine ordered the man to work outside in inclement weather. The lawsuit claims that Blessey Marine violated industry standards. The wife is seeking compensation for the loss of her husband.
What is the Jones Act?
The Jones Act allows injured seaman, or their heirs if they are killed, to bring a lawsuit against their employer.
To find out more about...
The seaman was killed by lighting on August 2007. According to the lawsuit, Blessey Marine ordered the man to work outside in inclement weather. The lawsuit claims that Blessey Marine violated industry standards. The wife is seeking compensation for the loss of her husband.
What is the Jones Act?
The Jones Act allows injured seaman, or their heirs if they are killed, to bring a lawsuit against their employer.
To find out more about...
