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What Our Clients Say

From the moment I came to this law firm, I felt peace in my heart. You all were my voice. Thank you Mr. Curtis, you are a great attorney. I want to especially thank you for your effort and dedication and the good heart you put in my case. You are very professional. God Bless you always.

Alba

Therapist
Houston, Texas
Sincere thanks for this depo ... really excellent ... Beckcom/the firm is tops ... for such exhaustive preparation ... WOW ... what a depo.

Houston lawyer commenting on deposition of defense orthopedic doctor taken by V&B
Your law firm did a great job getting the case settled. You were helpful and I would recommend you to anyone.

Betty J. Richmond

Retired
Houston, Texas
Brian & Curtis

Thank you for all you've done for me in regards to my case.

Sincerely

-Raymond S.

Seafood Worker
Deltona, Florida
I would like to thank Brian Beckcom and his staff for their professionalism and their support. . . I knew when I met Brian that he was more than qualified to handle my father's wrongful death case . . .if I needed his help again I wouldn't hesitate to call.

Sabrina M, U.S. Air Force enlisted

Houston, Texas
Just when we thought we would never find someone who would listen to our story, V&B opened their doors to us. For one month, I spoke to 25 lawyers and the answer I received was "your case is a lost case, no one will ever represent you."

Aridana Perez (mother of Miguel Perez, Jr., auto accident victim)
Houston, Texas
I'd like to thank the staff at Vujasinovic & Beckcom for the professionalism and courtesy they displayed on my case.

Kurt R., Houston, Texas
I also have a heart full of gratitude for the way you presented such an excellent court case on behalf of me and my kids.

Gloria H., Wichita, Kansas
Brian, I recommend your maritime book highly. I also happily recommend you, personally.

-Captain Jim Vickers
I sat on one of your juries early this year. I observed your eloquence and complete passion....you seem to be a man of utmost qualifications.

- Juror on one of Vuk's cases (name withheld)
Vuk, it has been such a wonderful experience working with you and your staff. Thank you so much for all the hard work that you did to help my family and I survive through the most difficult time of our lives.

Phuong N.
Houston, Texas
I was injured in an auto accident in Houston, and was referred to Vuk by another attorney. I couldn't work as a result of the accident and desperately needed back and knee surgery.. . . Vuk was able to get me a generous settlement within about a year of taking my case.

Steven R.
Deer Park, Texas
After my two-year old son was killed by an 18-wheeler driver and me and my daughter were badly injured, we hired Brian and Vuk to represent us on the recommendation of another lawyer.

This was the hardest time in our lives and it was great knowing we had you there to represent us.

Justin and Sonya H., Splendora, Texas

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Disclaimer

We designed this website to provide information to consumers, injured people, and their families. Our goal is to level the playing field between consumers and insurance companies and expose the tricks, traps, and techniques they use to cheat injured people out of their legal rights. We also let consumers know about legal news, including verdicts and settlements and other interesting legal information.

But please understand that nothing on this website is meant to provide legal information about your specific case, create an attorney-client relationship, or imply that the results of your legal case will be the same as some other case.

The test for "seaman" status under the Jones Act

We are often asked by potential clients whether they are considered "seaman" under the Jones Act.

The Seaman Status Test Under the Jones Act

Generally, to be a "seaman" under the Jones Act, an injured offshore worker must prove three things:

1. A relatively permanent connection to a vessel or identifiable group of vessels;

2. The vessels must be "in navigation." (This DOES NOT mean the vessel must be moving.)

3. The injured worker's duties must contribute to the mission or function of the vessel. (This is defined very broadly).

Courts look at all three factors, and look at the totality of the worker's duties and connection to the vessel. Courts are also not allowed to look only at the specific work being done at the time of the injury. Instead, they look at the entire employment history.

People who serve on freighters, tugboats / towboats, crew boats, tankers, jack-up rigs, semi-submersibles, supply boats, lay barges, barges, fishing boats, and crew boats who are members of the crew are considered to be seamen under the Jones Act.

Those who work on fixed platforms and longshoremen are not Jones Act seamen. That doesn't mean don't have any remedies. They just can't file a Jones Act case.

We can help you with your Jones Act case today

To schedule an appointment to learn more about your offshore injury case, you can contact Mr. Beckcom toll free at 877.724.7800. There is no cost for an initial consultation, and no obligation to move forward with a case.

You can also visit his firm's main website, www.vbattorneys.com, to learn more about the firm, the experience of the lawyers at the firm, and past case results (Keep in mind that each case has its own facts and circumstances. Past results are no indication of the value or results for your case or any other case.)

About the author

Brian Beckcom is a founding partner of Vujasinovic & Beckcom, P.L.L.C. in Houston, Texas. Mr. Beckcom handles Jones Act and maritime injury and death cases, as well as all types of significant personal injury and wrongful death matters, insurance disputes, and business disputes.

Mr. Beckcom is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

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