Maritime Blog 
Diver Accident Lawyer
Jones Act Cases
- Jones Act injury case against Waterman Steamship
- Injured worker sues D&S Marine Services under the Jones Act
- We are pleased to announce the coming publication of The Complete Guide to Jones Act & Maritime Injury Claims
- Offshore back and neck injuries at sea, on vessels, or on offshore oil rigs
- Jones Act Lawsuit Against Kirby Inland Marine and Capital Inland Marine
- Preventing offshore slip and fall injuries by using non-slip coatings on walking and working surfaces
- Can I negotiate an offshore injury case myself without hiring an attorney?
- Resolve Marine Hit With Jones Act Lawsuit After Boat Crashes Into Jetty
- SEAMEN'S ALERT - Important Warning for Injured Offshore Workers and Seamen
- Injured Worker Sues Horizon Offshore Following Back Injury
Maritime Injury & Death Cases
- Widow of deceased barge worker sues barge company under Jones Act
- Man Injured on Norweigian Cruise Line cruise ship near Miami
General
- Exxon Valdez case - Punitive damages allowed under maritime law
- New Longshore and Harbor Worker's case against Noble Drilling protects injured worker's rights
- Injured employee sues Matteson Marine Service under the Jones Act
- Houston Police Officer Dies in Crash with Truck
- Global Industries Offshore Settles Jones Act Case Brought by Injured Rigger
V&B Maritime Law News
- Navigazione Montanari S.p.A. and Pelican Offshore Services settle Jones Act case with mooring master
- 5th Circuit Upholds 1.2 million dollar Jones Act verdict
- Settlement for offshore welder who injured back
- Jones Act & Maritime Injury Claims Book
- Lawsuit Filed Against Blessey Marine Under the Jones Act
- Houston Maritime Death - Man Killed While Loading Ship
- Hoosier Marine Hit With Lawsuit By Injured Worker
- Injured Galleyhand Sues Universal Sodexho and Rowan Under Jones Act
- Worker Sues Diamond Offshore for exposure to hazardous chemicals
- Worker Sues Pride Offshore For Forcing Him to Work In An Unsafe Position
V&B Frequent Questions
General
- Am I required to give a written statement after I am injured?
- If I am injured offshore, am I required to sign paperwork in exchange for receiving medical benefits or maintenance payments?
- If I suffer an offshore injury, am I required to see only company doctors?
- If no one is at fault for my injury offshore, do I still get an medical benefits or wage replacement/lost wages?
- If I am injured offshore, can I bring claims for negligence against the parties who are at fault?
- I was injured on a U.S. government vessel - Do I have a Jones Act case?
- How do I know if I am a Jones Act "seaman?"
- What is General Maritime Law?
- What does "unseaworthiness" mean??
- What is "maintenance and cure?"
I was injured on an offshore jack-up rig or oil platform - What are my legal rights to compensation?
Question:I was injured offshore. I was working for an oil company on an offshore jack-up rig (or oil platform). What legal rights do I have to recover fair compensation for my injuries?
Answer:
We get these kinds of questions a lot probably because a lot of offshore oil workers call us to represent them.
With the increase in oil prices and the demand for more oil to feed our economy, the oil companies are doing more drilling and exploration for oil in the Gulf of Mexico and other deepwater sites.
Unfortunately, that means more men and women in the oil industry face the risk of serious injury, or even death.
So what are your legal rights if you are injured offshore working for an oil company on a jack-up rig or platform?
If you are on a jack-up rig, you are probably a Jones Act seaman entitled to legal protection under the Jones Act and general maritime law. However, this may not be true if your attachment to the jack-up rig was short in duration or substance.
You will need an experienced Jones Act attorney to look at the facts of your case and answer the question for you.
If you are hurt on a non-movable fixed platform, then you are probably not a Jones Act seaman. That means you could be a Longshoreman entitled to benefits under the Longshore & Harbor Worker's Compensation Act, or you may be able to bring a case under general maritime law, or state worker's compensation laws, or maybe, maybe even the Jones Act
The legal analysis can get pretty tricky. You should probably hire a really competent and experienced Jones Act attorney to give you some answers to this question.
You can also visit our main website, www.vbattorneys.com, or our dedicated maritime law website, www.maritimeaccidentattorney.com, for more answers to many common questions.
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 Offshore
If 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 Sea
Your 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.
Quick Contact Form
Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C
1001 Texas Avenue, Suite 1020
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 713.224.7800
Fax: 713.224.7801
Library
Jones Act Cases
- Cruise ship injury cases - What are my legal rights if I am hurt on a cruise ship?
- The number one mistake to wreck your maritime injury case
- I was exposed to benzene, asbestos, or another toxic substance as part of my maritime employment - What are my legal rights?
- Injured in the Gulf of Mexico - What Law Applies?
- You have legal remedies if you are hurt on a cruise ship
Maritime Injury & Death Cases
- Tricks Offshore Employers Use on Injured Workers
- I was involved in an accident offshore and the insurance company wants me to give a recorded statement - What should I do?
- Five Things You Must Know If You Suffered An Offshore Injury
- Injured Offshore? Here are five helpful tips for navigating your legal voyage
- 5 Secrets Your Offshore Employer May Not Want You To Know If You Are Injured Offshore
Diver Accident Lawyer
- Diving Injuries - Are Diving Injuries Covered Under the Jones Act?
- What Law Covers Diving Accidents & Injuries?
General
- Financial Insecurity & Wrongful Termination - Two Big Fears When You Suffer An On-The-Job Injury
- Oil Platform Injury Cases
- How to hire the best lawyer for your injury or accident case
- I was injured on an offshore jack-up rig or oil platform - What are my legal rights to compensation?
- Reporting your offshore injury