Jones Act lawyer’
Common Symptoms of Neck Injuries among Offshore Workers
Friday, September 3rd, 2010
An offshore or maritime worker may be more susceptible to neck injuries because of the rigors of the workplace. Some workers like maintenance workers, or deckhands involved in cleaning or painting a vessel, may be at a higher risk of suffering a neck injury because of the strain on the neck muscles.
A neck injury isn't always as obvious as say, a head injury. There may be no visible signs of injury from the outside, and very often, the symptoms are very similar to those seen in other kinds of injuries like back injuries. This means that misdiagnosis of neck...
Maritime Lawyer Brian Beckcom Warns about Shady Tactics by Maritime, Insurance Companies
Thursday, July 29th, 2010
Maritime companies and insurers can go to great lengths to deny claims after an accident or injury. As a maritime attorney, I know that workers may not be aware of the extent to which these entities can go to in order to deny or delay a claim, or to pay out less than injuries deserve.
For instance, it's not unheard of to have a maritime insurance company go digging into a person’s medical history after an accident to see if they can find something that they can use effectively. I have come across insurance companies visiting hospitals and...
Transocean Employees Now Focus of Oil Spill Investigation
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
Employees of Transocean, who were on board the Deepwater Horizon-semisubmersible rig, have now become the focus of an investigation into the disaster. Two Transocean employees, chief engineer Stephen Bertone and chief engineer technician Mike Williams have been designated as parties of interest by a hearing panel consisting of the US Coast Guard and the Interior Department. With that, the number of Transocean workers who are likely to face charges in the accident, has increased to five.
If Transocean employees are found to have acted in a manner that contributed to the explosion, then they could face...
Sen. John McCain Introduces Legislation to Repeal the Jones Act
Friday, July 9th, 2010
The Jones Act has been a hot topic of discussion since the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was discovered. The movement to restrict application of the Jones Act has begun in earnest. The Jones Act requires that all goods shipped between domestic ports in the US, be shipped in vessels that are manufactured in the US, owned by US citizens and manned by US crews.
In the days since the spill was discovered, lawmakers have appealed to Pres. Barack Obama to waive off the provisions of the Jones Act to allow foreign-flagged vessels to help with the oil...
Tanker Company Tries to Get Seamen To Give up Jones Act Rights
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
As a maritime lawyer, I've known for a while that maritime companies are trying to get arbitration agreements that release a seaman from his Jones Act rights in exchange for advancing wages.
One such employer is tanker company OSG. The company is reportedly trying to get employees to give up their rights to a Jones Act claim, or a claim of unseaworthiness in exchange for what they call a Salary Continuation Plan. Under the Salary Continuation Plan, OSG agrees to pay a Jones act seamen 50% of his basic wages for two months, and all union...
It’s Here: BP Oil Spill Reaches Texas
Tuesday, July 6th, 2010
It’s the news we've all been dreading. News reports are confirming that tar balls began washing up on beaches in Galveston and the Bolivar Peninsula over the holiday. Locals noticed tar balls on the beach and informed the authorities. The tar balls were tested by the US Coast Guard and the Texas Land Gen. Office. The testing has confirmed that the tar balls originated from the site of the MACONDO well, which was the site of the Deepwater Horizon explosion in April. With this, Texas becomes the fifth state to be affected by the BP oil spill.
However...
Coast Guard Investigating Fatal Barge-Fishing Boat Accident in Tennessee
Friday, July 2nd, 2010
The US Coast Guard is continuing its investigations into a fatal maritime accident involving nine barges and a fishing boat on the Tennessee River. The accident occurred over the weekend. The fishermen were on a boat when the vessel was struck by nine barges that were being towed by a tugboat.
According to the sole surviving fisherman, the vessel had an engine problem, and was stuck in the path of the barges. They tried all they could to alert the boat crews to their predicament, but were unable to. The barges struck the fishing boat, capsizing the vessel...
Smart Buoy System Can Protect Offshore Platforms from Freak Waves
Saturday, June 26th, 2010
As a maritime lawyer, I constantly monitor maritime safety technologies and new developments in these areas. It's important that workers know that there are safety devices and aids that employers and vessel owners can use to ensure their safety.
One of the many risks that an offshore platform worker faces is that from underwater waves, called solitons. These waves are generated many miles further out into the ocean, and begin forming deep underwater. They don't look very threatening on the ocean surface, but deep down below, can muster enough strength to seriously damage oil drilling rigs and pipes....
Coast Guard Orders Ship to Remain at Washington Port after Captain Found Intoxicated
Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010
No maritime lawyer would dispute that safety of passengers and crewmembers are at a high risk when vessels crews, especially pilots and masters, are operating under the influence of alcohol. Last month, the Coast Guard was forced to order a cargo ship to remain in Washington Port, after an inspection found that the captain was under the influence of alcohol.
The Coast Guard boarded the vessel in the Strait of Juan De Fuca. It was a routine boarding, but an inspection quickly found that the vessel’s master showed signs of being under the influence. The Coast...
Jones Act Seaman Files Lawsuit over Back Injury
Friday, June 18th, 2010
A seaman has filed a Jones Act lawsuit against an employer over a back injury that he suffered during the course of his employment on one of the company's barges.
According to the lawsuit, the injury occurred on July 23, 2008, when the seaman was performing heavy labor. He sustained injuries to his back and other parts of his body. According to the seaman, he was performing the tasks without the help that he needed. The lawsuit further claims that the employer was aware of the injury risks from the seaman performing extremely strenuous tasks on his own, but allowed...
