Vujasinovic & Beckcom Blog

Exxon Valdez case - Punitive damages allowed under maritime law

The United States Supreme Court issued its long-awaited decision in the Exxon Valdez oil spill case.Once again siding with big business over the rights of individuals and families, the Court sliced down the punitive damage award from $2.5 billion dollars to $500 million dollars.Setting aside the fact that $500 million represents less than one day of profit for Exxon Mobil, and the fact that the Court basically just made up a number out of thin air, and the fact that the punitive damage award, while large, is a drop in the bucket for Exxon, the Court once again shows a disturbing lack of confidence in the ability of American citizens to serve on juries, listen to evidence, and reach decisions.Essentially, 8 lawyers from Washington D.C., most of whom have never actually tried a lawsuit themselves, and none of whom has any real idea what the Valdez spill did to thousands of Alaskan families and citizens, have once again substituted their judgment for the jurors and judges who actually heard the evidence in the case and reached a decision.  The silver liningThe silver lining in the case is that the justices, perhaps unwittingly, seem to have recognized that punitive damages are recoverable in maritime law.  For decades, most lawyers who represent Jones Act seaman and injured maritime workers have been under the impression that punitive damages were most likely not available in these types of cases.What this has meant, as a practical matter, is that maritime defendants could treat the injured workers as poorly as they wanted, be as unsafe as they wanted, and avoid any sort of responsibility or threat of punitive damages.The Exxon Valdez case seems to take away that defense.  Which is very helpful for injured workers, and, suprisingly from this Court, not quite as helpful to big business and insurance companies.What do you think about the Exxon Valdez case?  Did the Court get it right?  Or should the Court defer to the jurors who actually heard the evidence and rendered a verdict?Want to know more about maritime injury cases?  We strive to provide the best, most professional, and most effective representation to workers in the offshore industry.  We are based in Houston, Texas.  We represent offshore workers all over the world.To learn more about our law firm and what we can do for you, please visit the following websites: www.vbattorneys.com www.maritimeaccidentattorney.com www.houstoninjuryaccidentlaw.com If you want to know more about offshore injury claims, please take a moment to read the following articles: 1.  How to hire the best lawyer for your Jones Act or offshore injury case 2.  What is the Jones Act? 3.  What is a Longshoreman and What Are Their Legal Rights When Injured? 4.  The difference between the Jones Act and the Longshore & Harbor Worker's Compensation Act 5.  The Truth About Offshore Injury Claims. 6.  What Should You Do If You Are Injured Offshore 7.  What you should know if you were hurt offshore and your employer is giving you a hard time 8.  Should I give my employer or the insurance company a "recorded statement?" 9.  Do I need to hire a lawyer for my Jones Act or offshore injury claim? 10.  What happens when you file a Jones Act lawsuit. 11.  6 Critical Things you must know if you are injured at sea 12. The Secrets Your Employer May Not Want You To Know If You Are Injured Offshore.

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Jones Act injury case against Waterman Steamship

Our law firm has been hired by an injured deckhand to prosecute his Jones Act claims against Waterman Steamship. 

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New Longshore and Harbor Worker's case against Noble Drilling protects injured worker's rights

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit recently

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Injured worker sues D&S Marine Services under the Jones Act

We get called by injured offshore workers all the time.  Some of them have good cases, some of them don't.  We were recently retained by a young man working on the DANIEL C, a boat owned and operated by D&S Marine Services out of Louisiana.  Our client was badly injured while working for D&S.Our investigation reveals that our client was hurt because of the negligence of D&S Marine Services as well as the unseaworthiness of the DANIEL C.If you have any information about D&S Marine Services, the DANIEL C, or any of the other vessels in the fleet, or acts of negligence by the company, please call us toll free at 877.724.7800.Or you can contact us by submitting contact information onto this website.To learn more about maritime cases or the Jones Act, please visit our other websites,  www.themaritimelawyer.com or www.vbattorneys.com.

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We are pleased to announce the coming publication of The Complete Guide to Jones Act & Maritime Injury Claims

We are pleased to announce the coming publication of a new book written exclusively for people injured offshore.The working title of the book is "The Complete Guide to Jones Act and Maritime Injury Claims."  We anticipate the book will be published and ready for shipment in late June or early July 2008.This is a book that the offshore employers, cruise ship companies, and the insurance companies DO NOT want you to read.  Why?Because we expose their tricks and secrets and defenses and provide real, practical advice for winning your injury case.Stand-by for more details.Want to know more about offshore injury claims?  Below are some links to some suggested articles offering helpful tips and advice regarding offshore injury claims.Click here to read an article with helpful suggestions and tips on how to hire the best lawyer for your offshore injury case.Curious about the Jones Act?  Click here for a general overview of the Jones Act.Want to know more about the Longshore and Harbor Worker's Compensation Act?  Click here to read the article "What is a Longshoreman and What Are Their Legal Rights When Injured?Want to know the difference between the Jones Act and the Longshore and Harbor Worker's Compensation Act?  Click here to read about the difference between the two.What to know the truth about offshore injury cases?  Click here to read The Truth About Offshore Injury Claims.Want to know what you should do after an offshore injury to preserve your legal rights?  Click here to read  What Should You Do If You Are Injured OffshoreIf you are hurt and your employer is giving you a hard time, click here to read "I was injured on the job and my employer is giving me a hard time - What should I do"Employer trying to get you to give a recorded statement?  Click here to learn the truth about recorded statements and the best way to handle this request.Thinking about trying to settle your offshore injury case without talking to a lawyer first?  Click here to learn why you can settle some cases yourself but in other cases not having a lawyer may be a TERRIBLE MISTAKE.Want to know what happens when you file an offshore injury or Jones Act case?  Click here to learn about Filing a Jones Act lawsuit.Click here to learn about 6 Critical Things you must know if you are Injured At SeaYour employer may be keeping secrets from you if you are hurt offshore.  Click here to read about The Secrets Your Employer May Not Want You To Know If You Are Injured Offshore.

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Commercial diver settles injury case against employer and lift boat company

We are pleased to announce that one of our clients, a commercial diver

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Injured employee sues Matteson Marine Service under the Jones Act

An injured worker has sued Matteson Marine Service, his employer, under the Jones Act.You can read more about the case, the allegations, and find other useful tips and resources by clicking on the link below:Injured Worker Sues Matteson Marine Service.

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Offshore back and neck injuries at sea, on vessels, or on offshore oil rigs

We handle a lot of offshore injury cases.  The workers who work on

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Jones Act Lawsuit Against Kirby Inland Marine and Capital Inland Marine

Our firm is currently prosecuting a Jones Act case against Capital

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Preventing offshore slip and fall injuries by using non-slip coatings on walking and working surfaces

Any ship, rig, barge, or boat owner who doesn't use non-skid or non-slip coatings or surfaces whether workers walking (any walking or working surface) is not living up to his responsibility to protect workers on the vessel from injury.Maritime work can be some of the most rewarding types of employment you can find, both personally and financially.  Maritime work can involve working on a jack-up oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, a transport vessel plying the open oceans,  working barges in the intercoastal waterways or Mississippi River, or anything else involving working on the rivers or open seas. But maritime work can be hazardous if the ship or barge owners do not take proper precautions to protect employee safety.One of the more common causes of injuries on boats, barges, offshore oil rigs, and other floating vessels involves slips and falls.  Since maritime work necessarily involves working over, near, in, or around water, the walking and working surfaces get wet.  And that means slippery conditions.  Plus, the stairways and ladders on boats and rigs are often in tight quarters and very steep, making them even more potentially dangerous.Slips and falls can result in extremely serious injuries.  Broken bones, back and neck injuries, knee, shoulder or elbow injuries, and even serious head injuries can result from slips and falls.How do you protect yourself?First, always try to be aware of where you are working and walking.  Keep floors and other walking and working surfaces free of debris, water, grease and other slippery substances.  Clean up spills as soon as they occur.More important, perhaps, the captain or vessel owner should ensure that all walking and working surfaces are coated with some sort of non-slip or non-skid materials.  Anyone who works offshore knows that it is impossible to keep the surfaces clean of debris or slippery substances 100% of the time.  That's why it's so important for the shipowners to coat the walking surfaces with non-slip materials.Any ship or vessel owner who doesn't maintain properly non-slip walking or working surfaces is not keeping the vessel properly maintained and could be liable under the Jones Act to any worker who is injured as a result.

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Can I negotiate an offshore injury case myself without hiring an attorney?

The first suggestion would be not to negotiate the case yourself if it

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Widow of deceased barge worker sues barge company under Jones Act

A barge worker's widow recently filed a lawsuit against a barge company

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Resolve Marine Hit With Jones Act Lawsuit After Boat Crashes Into Jetty

Two employees of Resolve Marine Group and its subsidiaries have filed

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Houston Police Officer Dies in Crash with Truck

There was a very sad story in the Houston Chronicle today about an off-duty police officer who died in a crash with a truck today.

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SEAMEN'S ALERT - Important Warning for Injured Offshore Workers and Seamen

SEAMEN'S ALERT

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Injured Worker Sues Horizon Offshore Following Back Injury

On October 22, 2007, Carlos Guzman filed a Jones Act lawsuit  against CBH Services Inc. and Horizon Offshore Contractors Inc. in Jefferson County District Court.Mr. Guzman claims that he hurt his back while moving a heavy ladder.  Mr. Guzman worked as a welder aboard "The Atlantic," a Horizon owned vessel.Mr. Guzman's lawsuit claims more than $50,000 in damages.  Mr. Guzman sought out medical treatment shortly after the incident and continues to receive medical treatment from doctors and medical service providers.  According to Mr. Guzman, the defendants failed to provide a safe place to work, failed to provide safe tools and equipment, and failed to provide adequate supervision, among other things.Back injuries are a common occurrence in the offshore industry.  Far too often, maritime workers are required to manually lift pieces of equipment that should not be lifted manually.  Faced with a choice of complying with the orders of the boss or losing a well-paying jobs, maritime workers often have no realistic choice.Have you suffered a back injury or other serious injury offshore? For more information about the Jones Act or General Maritime Law, please contact Brian Beckcom at 713.224.7800, or toll free at 877.724.7800, or visit one of the firm's websites: www.vbattorneys.com www.themaritimelawyer.com www.maritimeaccidentattorney.com *************** About the firm Vujasinovic & Beckcom, P.L.L.C. is a firm of board certified personal injury trial lawyers who handle serious injury and death cases, as well as business and insurance cases, on a contingency fee basis.  The firm has a substantial docket of Jones Act and maritime injury cases. ***************

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Kirby Inland Marine Lawsuit Filed by Injured Tankerman

Houston, Texas A tankerman employed by Kirby Inland Marine has filed a lawsuit against the company for personal injury damages.  The lawsuit is brought under the Jones Act and General Maritime Law. According to the lawsuit, the injured employed was badly hurt as a result of unsafe equipment on a Kirby barge, including unsafe stairs and poor lighting. The worker claims he qualifies as a Jones Act seaman and is entitled to maintenance and cure, negligence damages, and damages for the unseaworthiness of the vessel. The worker has hired Brian Beckcom and his law firm, Vujasinovic & Beckcom, P.L.L.C. to represent him in his case. For more information about the Jones Act or General Maritime Law, please contact Brian Beckcom at 713.224.7800, or toll free at 877.724.7800, or visit one of the firm's websites: www.vbattorneys.com www.themaritimelawyer.com www.maritimeaccidentattorney.com *************** About the firm Vujasinovic & Beckcom, P.L.L.C. is a firm of board certified personal injury trial lawyers who handle serious injury and death cases, as well as business and insurance cases, on a contingency fee basis.  The firm has a substantial docket of Jones Act and maritime injury cases. ***************

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Man Injured on Norweigian Cruise Line cruise ship near Miami

A Norwegian Cruise Line passenger fell five stories on a cruise ship going from Key West to Miami.  He fell from the 8th floor to the 3rd floor.  the Miami Dade County Fire Department took him to a trauma center.Injury at Sea? For more information about the Jones Act or General Maritime Law, please contact Brian Beckcom at 713.224.7800, or toll free at 877.724.7800, or visit one of the firm's websites: www.vbattorneys.com www.themaritimelawyer.com www.maritimeaccidentattorney.com *************** About the firm Vujasinovic & Beckcom, P.L.L.C. is a firm of board certified personal injury trial lawyers who handle serious injury and death cases, as well as business and insurance cases, on a contingency fee basis.  The firm has a substantial docket of Jones Act and maritime injury cases. ***************

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Global Industries Offshore Settles Jones Act Case Brought by Injured Rigger

Global Industries Offshore has agreed to settle a Jones Act case. The case was brought by a rigger who was injured on the Global REM Commander dive vessel. The rigger was injured when a defective chain binder failed, striking him violently in the face, shattering his teeth and gums, and injuring his neck.

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Seaman Settles Jones Act Case

Seaman Jacob Robichaux settled his Jones Act case against the Midnight Rider vessel, Helix International Energy Solutions Group, Cal Div Internaional and Mariner Energy.  The settlement occurred on September 8 and it is confidential.Robichaux was employed by Helix Energy Solutions as a crewmember on the Midnight Rider.  While working, he injured his head, back, and neck.  He claimed the vessel was unseaworthy and that the defendants were negligent.  He brought his claims under the Jones Act.Robichaux sought $5 million dollars in his lawsuit.  His damages included lost wages, medical expenses, pain, suffering, impairment and other related expenses.Read more about the case by clicking here.Injured Offshore?Have you been injured offshore?  If you are looking for an attorney to represent you, call the lawyers at Vujasinovic & Beckcom, P.L.L.C.   All the lawyers are board certified injury specialists with extensive knowledge regarding offshore injuries, the Jones Act, and maritime law.To read more about the firm, visit its main website at www.vbattorneys.com or its dedicated maritime website at www.maritimeaccidentattorney.com.

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Jones Act Seaman Files Suit Claiming Exploding Hose Caused Burn Injuries

A Jones Act seaman has filed a lawsuit claiming that exploding engine pump on the Chesapeake Bay vessel, owned and operated by Omega Protein Corp., caused serious facial burns.The seaman is suing Omega Protein under the Jones Act for failing to properly maintain its vessel and train is employees.Omega Protein is the nation's largest producer of Omega-3 fish oil, fish meal and fish solubles.  The seaman is suing in Jefferson County, Beaumont, Texas.

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